A poor showing against Nottingham Forest shouldn’t undo what has been an encouraging start to the season, writes Tom Schofield.

There’s no hiding from the fact that we were lacklustre against a well drilled Nottingham Forest side, and it isn’t the first time this season that we have struggled to break down a team playing with two banks of four.

That is of slight concern but let us also remember that we were able to score nine goals in two games, albeit against struggling opposition.

Without wanting to make excuses as well, it was very much a makeshift Rovers team.

Joe Rothwell and Lewis Holtby have both been key to our early season form, so to be without the pair of them was always going to be tough.

Without them we lacked that composure on the ball that Holtby brings and the energetic drive that we have become accustomed to seeing from Rothwell.

It was also the sort of game that a player of Bradley Dack’s quality could have made all the difference with a little bit of magic. Getting him back into the fold will be like a new signing.

Speaking of signings, how many of us expected to have such a positive transfer window that brought about genuine excitement?

Historically we are very quiet on deadline day, so to bring in four new faces was foreign territory.

Aynsley Pears is sure to bring Thomas Kaminski some much needed competition. We arguably have two goalkeepers who have the ability to play as number one, so he provides some real strength in a position that at the end of last season was at crisis point.

In Barry Douglas and Tom Trybull we are getting two players who have secured promotion from the Championship. I don’t think the influence that can bring should be underestimated.

Of course, there was also the addition of Harvey Elliott as well. Despite his age he has to be seen as something of a coup.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp rates the 17-year-old highly and we have seen first hand what young players can bring to a side, just look at the impact that Tyrhys Dolan has had.

He brings a sense of unknown, and I am sure that Championship defenders won’t be looking forward to having him running at them.

Next up is a midweek trip to Watford in what is sure to be a tough test, we should play without fear though because on our day I am confident we can put any team in this division to the sword.