Five things we learned from Peterborough (h)

1 Creating a problem... Latics have now gone four games without a goal in open play – Tom Pearce’s free-kick against Port Vale in the EFL Trophy followed by three shut-outs in a row in the league. Boss John Sheridan admitted after the game his side needed to move the ball quicker in the final third, believing they were too content in possession and not looking to hurt the opposition. Viv Solomon-Otabor looks dangerous whenever Latics can get him the ball – but it needs to happen far more often, and far quicker, before the opposition have time to set their defence.

2 Switching-off... The Latics boss was also repeating himself on the subject of the defending which led to the only goal of the game. Jonson Clarke-Harris’ finish was right out of the top drawer, with the Posh striker cheating the ball before volleying past Jamie Jones in the flash of an eye. But he had the freedom of the penalty area in which to move, and the Latics backline – while still getting to know each other – have to cut out the individual errors that are blighting the team’s chances of picking up points. That said...

3 ...Latics won’t come up against too many strikers as good as Clarke-Harris this season. Posh have a long line of producing centre-forwards that have moved up the divisions for big money – think Britt Assombalonga, Dwight Gayle, Conor Washington, Jack Marriott and ex-Latics man Ivan Toney – and Clarke-Harris could well be the next off the production line. No wonder Barry Fry’s always got a smile on his face.

4 Welcome Matt... New signing Matty Palmer was thrown into the starting line-up just days after joining on loan from Swindon. He was immediately welcomed into the action by a crunching lunge from Dan Butler that left him in a heap and earned the Posh left-back a yellow card. But Palmer quickly found his feet and showed signs of being the experienced presence Latics need in the engine room to steer the likes of Chris Merrie and Alex Perry in the right direction.

5 New kid on the block... Latics fans – admittedly those watching at home via the stream – were treated to a first look at youngster Thelo Aasgaard in the senior side during the final stages. The Norwegian announced himself on to the scene three years ago with a quite astonishing ‘Rabona’ goal for the Under-15s, which almost broke the internet, and he is the latest starlet to make the step up from the club’s burgeoning Academy. During his late cameo he produced a couple of nice touches that suggest he may be ready for more involvement at this level – another huge pat on the back for Gregor Rioch and his staff.