Brittain was Boro’s top right-back target and there’s delight at Rockliffe at the capture of the 27-year-old.
But what can Boro expect of their new recruit? We spoke to Elliott Jackson, Blackburn correspondent for the Lancashire Telegraph:
What type of player and character are Boro signing in Callum Brittain?
Brittain is all energy down the right flank. He’s an attacking right-back who loves to go forward. That has always been his strength and the best part of his game.
He’s a nice lad, having interviewed him lots of times. He was very well-liked in the dressing room and I’m sure he will fit in nicely at Boro.
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What are his strengths and weaknesses?
He’s full of energy. Brittain’s crossing is excellent and he will constantly be a threat in the final third. Though he doesn’t score many, he’s excellent at creating chances.
Brittain has lots of pace, which makes him a threat going forward and gives him an advantage against speedy dribblers. His injury record has been chequered at various points but last season was his best at Ewood Park by a distance, coming second the Player of the Season vote.
When he first arrived at Ewood Park, there were weaknesses defensively. He’d predominantly played as a wing-back at Barnsley and that showed sometimes as he adapted to playing a four-man defence.
However, particularly under John Eustace last season, he has developed the defensive side of his game. There are much fewer lapses of concentration, where he could let an attacker run inside him.
Edwards has played a back three in pre-season but says he’s open-minded on his formation going forward – is Brittain comfortable playing as a right-back and right wing-back?
Definitely. Brittain’s main strengths are offensive, though he has rounded as a player in the past 18 months, as discussed above.
Every Rovers manager who has got the best from him has basically allowed those attacking instincts to take over, with the left-back often being more conservative to compensate.
What’s been the reaction among Blackburn fans to Brittain’s exit and how will he be remembered?
There is no bad blood there. Rovers fans were a little bit annoyed after he refused to play in the pre-season game at Accrington Stanley but he was back in training by Monday and reintegrated himself.
The main frustration is that Brittain was allowed to enter his final 12 months which ultimately left Rovers vulnerable to offers. I am sure he will get a good reception when he returns to Ewood Park next year.
