Why Sondre Tronstad is 'integral' for Blackburn Rovers

The Norwegian has had a strong start to the campaign alongside skipper Lewis Travis in the middle of the pitch.

Tronstad carried out some important defensive work against Leeds at the weekend, including a brave block to deny Willy Gnonto after Aynsley Pears had made a fine stop to keep out Pascal Struijk’s header.

“It shouldn’t go unnoticed, he is outstanding,” Brittain insisted. “I sit next to him in the changing room, great character and personality.

“I love playing with Sonny, he’s a good lad and always has your back. I think he is integral to this team.

“He puts himself about and so many last-ditch tackles and blocks. He gets us playing as well.

“Him and Trav are both great players at this level. They work hard, get us up the pitch, win tackles and put the first makers down.

“Trav is obviously the captain, he came back from Ipswich and has really put the levels up in training and around the place. I am really proud of everyone, there is real togetherness in the changing room.”

Clean sheets are always special for defenders, and Brittain was relieved to get over the line at Ewood Park after another impressive team effort.

“It was amazing, adrenaline was flying,” he grinned. “Working together with the boys, putting in a real shift and to get a result like that, we are over the moon.

Brittain in the thick of the action against Leeds (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker)

“Before we walked out the tunnel, we (believed) that it could be our day. To go to Middlesbrough and put a performance in like we did, we have belief in ourselves and I feel like we can beat anyone in that form!

“I think we are capable of doing anything this season, we have got real quality in the squad. Everyone is involved and people coming on, the starters, like the gaffer said it is (about) the whole team.

“We are together, the staff as well, and there is real a bond between us as a team. We look forward to the next game and go again.”

Rovers have been written off at times but have managed to keep progressing under John Eustace, who guided the club to safety last term.

When asked if there was a ‘siege mentality’ to prove their doubters wrong, Brittain replied: “I think you can say that about any football club.

“When we brought in the likes of Todd (Cantwell), Yuki (Ohashi), Makhtar (Gueye), it really pushes the level up.

“Training has been superb and the performances have been superb, some of the goals we have scored have been excellent.

“It is also down to the grit and determination, Sonny made another amazing block like he does and people throwing themselves around the box to win headers.

“That is the baseline and then going and showing yourself in the final third, we are really happy.”

There is a strong togetherness in the camp and the 26-year-old believes it will be vital as they aim to keep climbing the table.

“It is about trust and togetherness, and I feel like the gaffer has really instilled that into us,” he said.

“Since the gaffer took us for pre-season, it was all about standards in training and working as a unit.

“The players have stepped up after last year. It was tough and we wanted to get the standards back into the building and onto the training pitch. At the moment, it is really showing so hopefully we can keep performing like that.

“There is a lot of belief in the changing room, we stick together out there through the highs and lows.

“We will look to the next game, we don’t want to get too high because there is a long way to go. We will get back on the training pitch, get back to basics and keep grinding it out.”

In addition to their defensive qualities, Rovers have shown their ability to hurt teams in the final third and Brittain hopes that trend will continue as they prepare to head to Hull.

“There are games like Stoke where we created a lot of chances,” the versatile full-back reflected.

“You have got more of a problem if you aren’t creating chances and at the moment, we have a bit of both where we are scoring and defending really well. Long may that continue!

“To get three wins in a row in the Championship is really difficult so I am really proud of the boys and this squad. Now, we look towards Hull.”