Blackburn Rovers get 'no way back' verdict over Brittain

Ryan Hildred

After a standout season last term, and some pre-season encouragement that he might extend his stay, the news last weekend was certainly disappointing.

For three of the last four seasons, Rovers on the pitch have allowed us to forget our off-field woes (and dare I say dream of a play-off berth?!).

Players like Callum Brittain are a joy to watch and critical to any aspiration of getting out of this division. Or if you're more glass half empty, staying in it. With other areas of the pitch seeing gaps form, right back was an area we could have done without addressing - especially after letting Joe Rankin-Costello go. 

When players leave for the Premier League, then fine, we wish them well - see Sam Szmodics, Adam Armstrong and our own Adam Wharton for recent examples of where that has happened

Brittain is another likeable lad in their category who we might have expected to be wished on his way too. However, leaving for a division rival, just cuts differently.

It irritates the wounds the club has developed over the last 15 years and is a bitter reminder about where Rovers find themselves in the food chain, despite the recent commendable league finishes. 

In short, we should be able to convince Brittain to stay and consolidate on our 7th-place finish. The fact that we seemingly can't is a bitter truth that's hard to accept. Of course, he's not the only one in that category either. 

Mark Hitchen

There is no doubt about Callum Brittain’s performances last season and his importance to the team - especially given how Ismaël wants to play.

However, an unhappy player, or at least, a player making it clear they want to move on, often has no way back. What Rovers must do is secure the maximum they can for him and move on.

My big worry is that history has shown us that we often reinvest little of what we receive and if we are to ever progress as a club, we must do better with this. I have a small element of sympathy for the club in this; 12 months ago there were big question marks over Brittain, Tronstad and Travis for different reasons.

Ultimately, though, the club have only themselves to blame for Brittain being in charge of this situation. It comes with the territory when you allow contracts to drift into the final 12 months. At least Brittain has laid his cards on the table, there are, however, a large number of the squad who also have 12 months left and we don’t yet know where they stand.

Rory Larmer

As soon as word came through of a bid, the writing was on the wall. Brittain would have given the green light for the bid to come in, in my opinion. His mind is made up. Anyone focusing their ire on Brittain is missing the point.

Brittain doesn't want to play for Blackburn Rovers anymore. As sad as that sounds, he just thinks a move is what’s best for his career, and frankly, he is probably right.

He doesn't believe in the project, probably because projects do not exist at Blackburn Rovers. We change tack based on errors and people leaving the club. Brittain, like me, doesn't trust the ownership to make the right decisions to push Rovers forward.

In the Summer that Brittain arrived, the club captain Darragh Lenihan left along with Ryan Nyambe and Joe Rothwell. Ben Brereton Diaz left the following season. Tyhyrhs Dolan, along with Andi Weimann and Danny Batth have moved on.

Two managers have walked out. Ownership funding was cut due to issues with the courts in India. Non-existent proactive communication from the ownership and senior management. Duncan McGuire fiasco. Lewis O’Brien fiasco. Adam Wharton was sold to pay the bills because the owners couldn’t. Mercilessly cut the women's team without consultation and clear and honest communication with the team. Steve Waggott is out the door. John Park arrived, left, came back and left again.  

From his perspective and for the good of his career, he is right to move on. He will have a better shot at the Premier League with Middlesbrough than Blackburn Rovers next season, in my opinion. If our captain Lewis Travis hasn’t committed, whether he has a contract offer or not, why would Callum Brittain?

Mike Delap  

Sadly, an all too familiar path that the club has insisted on walking in recent times.

One of the stronger players reaching the end of their contract has his head turned because the club isn't making a statement of intent to keep them.

Modern players expect to be rewarded and shown love for their efforts; if the finances don't match there is a world of teams out there who are prepared to take advantage.

Agents don't need a second invitation to get into a player's ear when the last 12 months of a deal hits. All the power suddenly sits with the player and potential buying clubs as they know the clock is ticking and their value is diminishing.

So why, oh why, is it happening again? I understand Rovers have a strict wage structure but if that is the case, wouldn't it make more sense to sell earlier when the value is higher? Darragh Lenihan, Ben Brereton-Diaz, Tyrhys Dolan... we're over a barrel in these situations and a few more could be heading out the door too.

In Brittain's case, if he wants to leave, let's cobble together as much of a bid as we can at this point and sell. I wouldn't want to keep a player who doesn't want to be here.

At the risk of getting splinters in my rear end, the opposite also works - if he wants to stay and sign a new deal, great, no hard feelings and on with the job. Just don't let his deal wind down, leaving the club short again....

You can listen to Ryan on The Lancashire Telegraph's Arte et Labore and find Mark on The Blackburn End. Available on all podcast platforms.