Doyle hails impact of new Blade Blackman

Blackman, 22, who joined the Blades on a two-year-deal from Blackburn Rovers earlier this month, has already hit two goals in his first three outings, ahead of today’s League One trip to Colchester United.

And captain Doyle is confident he possesses the work ethic and quality to make himself a success at Bramall Lane.

Doyle said: “When we finish training, he’s still out there on his own and that’s the type of bloke that he is.

“He seems to be hungry and wants to get better and better.

“He’s a hard worker and he’s come here to do well; you can see he’s not here to mess about. He wants to do well for himself.

“His work ethic is spot on and you can’t question the lad and his performances have matched it as well.

“He looks like he’s going to be a right catch.”

While it has been a solid if unspectacular start to the season for the Blades, Doyle insists there were signs in the midweek 1-1 draw at his former club Coventry City that last season’s losing play-off finalists are discovering their full stride again.

The Irishman fully expects promotion-favourites United to get better as the season progresses, although he is not one of those who thinks that League One will necessarily prove as easy to get out off as some think.

He said: “On paper, it’s probably not as hard a league as it was last year with the three teams that went out of this division (promoted).

“With just two games gone, the likes of Notts County and Tranmere, who were strong at the back end of last season, have carried on from where they left off and look strong.

“I think it’s going to be really tough this year and probably not as easy as some people think.

“But I expect us to get stronger and stronger as the season goes on.

“Obviously there was a lot of hurt from last year and it was really disappointing, but we’ll kick on as the season goes on.”

United are unbeaten on their last five visits to Colchester.