Dickov: Theo-nly way is Donny
THEO ROBINSON may have had just one training session with his Doncaster teammates but boss Paul Dickov insists he had no doubts his new striker would deliver against Blackburn.
Dickov had the former Derby marksman watched extensively in pre-season – and for the past three years while boss at Oldham without ever convincing the 24year-old to make the move – before snapping him up on Thursday.
But now he’s got his man, and his first Championship win as manager of Donny, he’s anticipating more goals like the one he headed in just before half-time.
James Husband was the creator on that occasion and he added a second after the break to relieve some of the pressure Dickov claims was building at the Keepmoat.
“People start to panic a little bit the longer you go without winning so from my point of view, and the players point of view, it was important winning at home in front of our own fans against a team like Blackburn,” he said.
“For the fans to see a win like that gives them belief, and I’ve been talking about belief since I came in. The players are now beginning to believe that as well as being good individuals they are a good team.
“It’s fantastic winning at home and it’s fantastic getting the three points but the most pleasing thing is that we kept a clean sheet. “People will talk about the goals we scored and some of our attacking play at times, but defensively we were solid and really astute in how we dealt with Blackburn.
“Theo’s done well, he only came in Thursday and trained with us once but it’s not surprised me, Theo is a player I’ve watched probably for the last three years and I’ve tried to get him a few times.
“He’s a goalscorer, and he’s got that fantastic knack of getting in the box and finishing things off, if you look back throughout his career not a lot of them come from outside the penalty spot.
“We’ve had him watched preseason and he’s scored six goals in pre-season, albeit not with Derby’s first-team, but he was sharp.”
Blackburn keeper Jake Kean had earlier denied Chris Brown, David Cotterill and Robinson before the new man made it a debut to remember, nodding home on 37 minutes.
Jordan Rhodes, usually so reliable, wasted a good opportunity when he rounded Ross Turnbull but fired wide.
Chris Taylor then headed wide from close range after the interval and was made to pay when Husband’s cross flew in past the stranded Kean on the hour mark.
It leaves Blackburn without a win in their opening three games but boss Gary Bowyer vowed to turn their form around.
“People can see our style of play is good, we just need to go a goal up or get a refereeing decision, then we will see more confidence,” he said.
“We played particularly well with the ball in the first half and particularly for long periods in the second half.
“Their first goal was clearly offside.We scored a good goal in the first half which wasn't offside and the second goal was either outstanding or a fluke. I think it was a fluke.” To comment on this match go to http://boards.footymad.net/