Laid-back Brynn brings the calm

SOL'S PRESENCE WINS PLAUDITS

- By CRAIG JOHNS

SOL Brynn has earned the right to be Middlesbrough's first-choice goalkeeper this season - realising a long ambition of the youngster's.

Rob Edwards can name exactly when he knew this summer, Brynn was, as expected, to be trusted with the role. It was a big show of faith from the new manager and one in which, even with Portsmouth error considered, the 24-year-old has justified.

Brynn made several crucial saves recently against Stoke City to take the man of the match award and earn his side a point. There's probably been many more he could take his share of credit for too, with his ability to deal with crosses helping his side get through a few trickier moments in games.

It was one thing being handed the first-choice role by Edwards this summer, but it’s been another thing altogether to earn the trust of both Edwards, and the defenders in front of him. His performances to date, which includes a league joint-sec-ond best record of four clean sheets, have resulted in him quickly achieving the latter too.

“Tm really pleased and really impressed,’ Edwards said. “I liked him anyway, before we came in. We gave them both - Tom [Glover] as well in preseason - the opportunity to go and show us and earn the shirt, and Sol really did that.