After reaching the Championship via the League 2 playoffs last year, there have been fears from fans of Peterborough that their side would suffer a repeat of the 2009-10 season in which they were relegated, finishing bottom of the league.

However, this time around, Darren Ferguson's side have shown that they are more than capable of competing, having picked up a number of surprising results so far.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the Posh's campaign so far.

August

The opening month of the season was one of highs and lows as Peterborough got off to a winning start in the league with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. They suffered their first defeat of the season in a 2-1 loss to Blackpool in the following game.

The Posh recorded their biggest victory in the Championship as they beat Ipswich Town 7-1, with Lee Tomlin helping himself to a hat-trick. The side were also knocked out of the Carling Cup after a 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough.

September

A 1-0 loss to Hull City was followed by a 2-1 victory over Burnley as Ferguson's men looked to go on a winning run. West Ham United put an end to those hopes, defeating Peterborough 1-0 thanks to an early Mark Noble penalty.

The month ended with an enthralling 3-2 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. The winning goal coming in the fourth minute of extra time, courtesy of Ryan Tunnicliffe's determination to force an own goal from Erik Huseklepp.

October

October began with a 2-1 defeat to Doncaster Rovers at London Road. However, fortunes soon improved with two wins in a row against Bristol City and Cardiff City. The latter was a seven-goal thriller as Peterborough earned a 4-3 win thanks to a 93rd-minute winner from Paul Taylor.

The Posh were then on the other end of a last-minute winner when Luciano Becchio struck in the 95th minute as Leeds United defeated the ten-man home side.

November

A 2-1 defeat to league leaders Southampton was followed by another victory thanks to a last-minute winner. This time it was a 3-2 win over Derby County, in which skipper Grant McCann scored in the 93rd minute.

The Posh battled to two successive 1-1 draws over Middlesbrough and Birmingham City before a 3-2 loss to Reading.

December

Barnsley hit a late winner as Peterborough lost 4-3, despite coming back from 3-0 down. The side ended a record of one win in nine games with a 1-0 win over Coventry City.

Another 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest made it back-to-back victories. A late Tommy Rowe header earned Peterborough an impressive point against high-flyers Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, rounding off a decent campaign for The Posh so far.

Peterborough now head into 2012 occupying 15th place, just seven points off the playoff places.