Peterborough United recently secured the services of midfielder Jack Collison on a one-year deal. After losing his way somewhat following a dreadful time with injuries, can the former West Ham United man revive his career at the League One club?
Collison is a name many football fans will recognise. He made over 100 appearances for West Ham and also appeared 17 times for the Welsh national team, however, injury then hit hard for Collison. Throughout his time with the Hammers a reoccurring knee injury limited his playing time and he was eventually released.
In 2014, Collison signed for Championship side Ipswich Town, however, the knee injury appeared once again and come December 2014 he was released from his contract having failed to make a single appearance for the Tractor Boys.
Throughout the early months of 2015, Collison set up the Jack Collison Soccer School and was coaching during his spare time. Now he’s looking forward to putting on the blue and white of Peterborough United – the club where it all started for him.
Peterborough finished the League One campaign in 9th place, 6 points off the play-offs. In the 13/14 season they lost in the semi-finals of the play-offs to Leyton Orient. They are currently 4th favourites to win promotion to the Championship so the ambition is very much there for the Posh. With the signing of talented midfielder Collison it could be the final push they need and with an ambitious chairman in Darragh MacAnthony, the impressive capture of Collison comes as no real surprise.
The only real question mark over this move is his injury. How many games will Collison play this season? If he suffers an injury what situation does this leave Peterborough in? Well, the good news for Posh fans is the deal is only for one year and if something does go wrong they’ve not really lost much. It is certainly a risk take for new manager Dave Robertson as he ideally wants players who are guaranteed to hit the ground running and silence a few of the doubters that might be circling regarding his appointment. However, the reward is very much a fantastically gifted midfielder who could play higher than League One. Getting Collison fit is the gamble, but it’s surely one worth taking?
If Jack Collison can maintain his fitness and stay away from the reoccurring injury that’s haunted him the last few years, his one year deal could then be renewed and he could lead Peterborough United’s revival. At only 26 he’s got plenty of time to recapture the form that saw him break into the Welsh national team. Here’s hoping his troublesome knee holds up and the former West Ham United man can start producing the impressive displays we’ve seen on many occasions before. If there’s a player who deserves a revival, it’s Jack Collison.
By Callum Read – @CReadJourno
Always liked Collison but as you pointed out (and is common knowledge really) it’s sad that injuries have got in his way. Hope he does well in L1. He’s far too good for that level when fit