Marshall wings in as Megson seeks reaction

The 20-year-old winger has joined the Owls until January 2012.

Marshall began his career with Manchester United’s youth side before joining Crewe Alexandra’s renowned academy in 2005, spending four years with the Railwaymen.

He signed for Stoke in July 2009 and has since enjoyed successful loan stints at Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town and most recently Carlisle United, where he has spent much of the previous two campaigns.

The highly-rated winger, who can also play up front, made 42 appearances in all competitions for Carlisle last season, scoring five goals.

Marshall said: “This is a great opportunity for me, it was an easy decision to make.

“I have played in front of big crowds before and I’m really looking forward to doing that here.”

Gary Megson blasted his players after their second successive away defeat of the season, at Bury.

He said: “These players have to realise there has to be consequence to what they do. We pay them the best money in the division – they have to shape themselves and start performing.”

Nick Montgomery has hailed the team spirit at Bramall Lane that has seen Sheffield United win their first three games of the League One season.

United came from two goals down against Walsall on Tuesday night to extend their unbeaten start with a 3-2 win.

Midfielder Montgomery, who could be key to the Blades’ promotion ambitions this season should they hold onto him over the coming weeks, said: “It was a fantastic comeback, having gone two goals down, and the lads showed great character to get another three points.

“It is also pleasing to show people we can react positively to falling behind and still get the win.”

Despite Doncaster Rovers’ third defeat of the season and a winless run now extending to 15 matches back to March, manager Sean O’Driscoll remained steadfast in his footballing ethos.

“I’ve been here four years and that’s happened to us more times than I can remember, but I’d rather walk off the pitch playing like that than walk off the pitch playing poorly,” he explained after the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

“We’re going to have to take the result on the chin but the performance was outstanding.

“I’m frustrated and the players are going to get frustrated – I think they handled that really well and did all the things that we wanted them to do.

“When you think, that’s a side worth however many millions and us, there’s no comparison.”