Dawkin went on to play just 12 more minutes for Norwich, and never played in the football league (injuries a factor I think, and assuming at 32 he's not going to have a late career resurgence from the lower reaches of the football pyramid). Hopefully Forsyth can do a touch better.
A lot of churn, with a number of familiar older names dating back to Chris Wilder's earlier spell as manager -- Egan, Basham, Norwood, Baldock -- leaving, as well as others from their recent brief flirtation with the EPL (McBurnie, Bogle, Archer). Kieffer Moore and Tyrese Campbell are the new strikers, and they have three players on loan from EPL clubs (including Palace's winger Rak-Sakyi, in whom we were rumoured to be interested). A win and a draw in their opening two league matches, the win coming against Preston, who are in disarray after manager Lowe asked to leave, and the draw yesterday at home against QPR. United led 2:0 at half time, and surrendered an 88th min equaliser to Rangers who had gone down to 10 men four minutes earlier when Colback was sent off for a second yellow card. In sum, still trying to get it together I would say, much like ourselves.
Yes, should have mentioned O'Hare's arrival. With both Hamer (last year) and O'Hare (this year) being recruited from Coventry, it speaks well of the Sky Blues's recruitment under Mark Robins (the latest example being O'Hare's replacement, Rudoni, from Huddersfield).
Yes there was, Dunc. I enjoyed the game (except the ending). We had some energy and quick passing. As I said during the game, it's pleasing not always going back to Gunn when we get the ball.
And plenty not so good! We had several opportunities to snuff out the danger from the break that led to Blackburn's opening goal, but failed to take any of them. And, Gunn was hopelessly late trying to close Hedges down (compare how quickly the Rovers keeper got out to Sargent, causing him to screw his one-on-one shot wide). Angus has looked nervy and indecisive every time I've seen him this season. Regarding defensive shape, where was Crisene when Forson's pass was intercepted, initiating that break? I thought he was supposed to drop into a back three with the two CBs, giving Stacey freedom on the right. But when Rovers turned the ball over, Crisene was infield, level with Forson, and too far forward to do anything but collect the ball from the back of our net.
I would much rather academy kids try & gain experience than Handley Duffy & other experienced internationals put in mediocre performances & pay for their retirement. There will be times when they are called upon but they shouldn't be starting. I can see this group of young players clicking at some point with our internationals & hopefully start grinding out wins . Over reliance on Sara & Rowe seemed to unbalance the side last season .
Those weren't the only defensive problems on show. Doyle did well with his through ball to Sargent for the first goal, but he was caught badly out of position for their second goal, leaving the crosser ample time to pick out the eventual scorer. The attacking play was improved at times, but the defence was just as bad yet again. Thorup needs to sort that out and soon.
The defensive lapses have been down to individual error, not the setup, the latter being IMO sound. As Thorup keeps saying, when the transfer window is shut and he has his first choice players such as Córdoba fully available, there will be more stability in selection, leading to greater player familiarity with both the system and each other. There will still be longer term issues to be resolved, e.g. a ball-playing RCB and upgrade at DM, but those will probably have to wait for the time being. At least on Saturday we didn't concede again from a set piece, despite Rovers being strong in that respect.
