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Lambert: Downes is Getting Better and Better
Monday, 5th Aug 2019 10:28

Town boss Paul Lambert believes Flynn Downes is getting better with every passing day, week and month. The 20-year-old was one of the Blues’ star performers in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Burton Albion and was TWTD readers’ Man of the Match.

“I think Flynn Downes is getting better and better. With each passing day, week and month he’s getting better that kid,” Lambert enthused after the game.

“As I said before, when I first saw him, I think he’s got a really big future. He’s a long way from the finished article but he’s certainly got a chance.”

Following his red card for a headbutt in the friendly at Cambridge last week, focus was inevitably on the England U18 and U19 international midfielder’s temperament at the Pirelli Stadium, but despite one or two feisty challenges flying in there was no sign of any untoward reaction.

“I had a chat with him on Friday down in Ipswich and just gave him [the benefit of] my experience,” Lambert said.

“The better player you are, things like that are going to happen to you. Just walk away from it, it’s hard with the emotion of the game, but I’m delighted with his performance because it was really, really mature.”

Lambert wouldn’t be drawn on comparisons with himself during his playing career: “It’s unfair on him, he’s his own player, he’s a really, really good player, he’s got terrific stamina for the game, great endurance, great feet, he’s got everything going for him and I think he’s going to be a really, really good player.

“As I said, he’s maturing every day, every month but to compare him with myself is unfair on him because we’re different players and we play in different eras but what I see with my eye, the kid’s a really, really good player.”

The Town manager believes it’s a big season for the Brentwood-born schemer: “Massive. He’s a hardy kid as well, as everybody knows. He’s got that little bit of devilment that top players need, you can’t curtail it at times, but you’ve got to curtail it in the right way, he’s got one helluva future, that’s for sure.

“I spoke to him yesterday and if he does get kicked you’ve sometimes got to walk away from it and sometimes I know it’s difficult because of the emotion of the game and the way the atmosphere becomes. On Saturday there were some heavy things there and I thought he was excellent.”


Photos: Pagepix



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ITFCsince73 added 10:32 - Aug 5
Shhhhh. Don't let the cat out the bag.
The Championship windows still open....
11

MrTown added 10:41 - Aug 5
On that performance at Burton, by far the best central midfielder in the League.
3

Suffolkboy added 10:47 - Aug 5
Absolutely correct PL ; both my son and I truly rated this young man the very first time we saw him.
At a relatively tender age in professional terms he not only looked the part but was anxious to play the part , keen to be available and worked hard to be both competitive and positive !
Just manage the expectations , nurture the undoubted talent , progress the skill and mind and we shall see a real gem ; might just rank with some of the 'giant ‘ characters from way back.
COYB
.
3

BlueySwede added 10:52 - Aug 5
Had a dip in form last season, but can´t have been easy performing during the circumstances. I have been fond of him since day 1. If he can add some goals to his game and maybe get even better at keeping the ball, he would be a top top footballer.
2

SamWhiteUK added 10:57 - Aug 5
Last season, he was one of those players where I could flip-flop between thinking he's brilliant one week, and wondering why he's in the team the next. Think he still has progress to make - and anyone who reads the forums will know exactly what I thought of his display at Cambridge! - but by all accounts this year he is looking very very good, so let's hope he really kicks on now.
1

dirtydingusmagee added 11:01 - Aug 5
deff a player with promise and a future ,just needs to control the red mist . We need him on the pitch
1

PositivelyPortman added 11:08 - Aug 5
Steady on Mr Town. How many teams in this league have you watched? Be honest.
1

1psw1ch added 11:30 - Aug 5
nooooo,,your meant to say he,s having a nightmare,,,we need to keep our young players and have a steady ship
0

Len_Brennan added 11:32 - Aug 5
I like the idea of Downes & Huws as the midfield base in a 4-2-3-1, or Downes as the base of the diamond in a 4-4-2, with Huws & Dozzell or Bishop in front & Judge at the top, or Downes & Huws again in the centre of an orthodox 4-4-2 with wingers.
I guess what I'm kinda harshly saying is I don't have Skuse in my preferred starting XIs, irrespective of the formation Lambert goes with. That's mainly down to Downes showing the quality many of us were expecting to see regularly from him last season.
1

midastouch added 11:41 - Aug 5
The Luton fans certainly rated him. That was a loan that seems to have worked out well gaining Downes some vital first-team experience. We've not always got the full benefit of players we've loaned out but it's good to see some starting to work out well for us. Woolfenden could be another to have gained from the experience and Rowe.
3

trulyblue added 11:48 - Aug 5
His movement was excellent on Saturday, if he keeps his feet grounded he's got a great chance to make it as a top flight player.
I was also seriously impressed with Wolfenden, he was so calm in difficult situations and his positioning spot on, he's another one with a big future if we look after him.
4

chepstowblue added 12:21 - Aug 5
Its actually the first good game ive seen him have. He's been ok on a few occasions but its been all too obvious that he wasn't particularly talented so was pathetically trying to adopt a hard man image.....a glorified Luke Hyam if you will. Saturday showed real signs that there is actually a footballer in there waiting to get out and not just a brain dead donut trying to find his identity. A welcome show of form at last.
-7

MrTown added 12:40 - Aug 5
chepstowblue - that is such a bad assessment. "too obvious that he wasn't particularly talented" - yet he has been selected in multiple England youth team squads, highly regarded by a once v good central midfielder himself in Lambert.

" pathetically trying to adopt a hard man image" - ooooo how dare someone from nice old Ipswich have a bit of bite in there game, because all the top players in the world don't have an edge at all.


Terrible assessment, he's 20 years old, constantly developing and looks like he could be having a really important season in his career. Shame it isn't happening with Dozzell but he has fallen well below Downes now.
6

BobbyBell added 12:41 - Aug 5
Talk about sticking him in the shop window. We need to keep quiet or lose yet another promising player. Has ME suggested we sell to get some funds in?
As for Wolfenden I was gobsmacked that he wasn't used last season fro day 1.
3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:14 - Aug 5
Really imposed himself against Burton. Definitely a step up from last season. Great potential, as PL says. Good luck, Flynn, and make sure you stick around for a very long time.
4

Linkboy13 added 09:23 - Aug 6
Downes and Wolfenden are players who have both benefited from loan deals surely it would be beneficial for Andre Dozzell to do the same rather than rap him in cotton wool at Portman road i think it would make him a better player and a more mature individual.
0

TheCurly added 22:19 - Aug 6
I have liked this lad from the first time I saw him. Don't think he got a fair shout last season. Hopefully he will have more opportunities to shine this season and usurp Mr Skuse from the starting eleven.
0


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