Flying Downes - Groundhog Day it seems

[hallamblue]

Throwing his toys out of the oram because he can't get what he wants. His attitude stinks, and I'd hate it if we signed him in the summer. He'd be the rotten apple in the barrel.


EADT report :

Southampton manager Ivan Juric has slammed former Ipswich Town midfielder midfielder Flynn Downes.

The Blues tried to bring the 26-year-old back to his boyhood club last summer, but Downes opted to join the Saints permanently from West Ham following a successful loan spell.

A favourite under Russell Martin, Downes has found game time limited under new Southampton boss Ivan Juric. Speaking after he left the midfielder out of his squad for the recent win at Ipswich, the Croatian said 'we had some problems' but refused to elaborate.

Now, after Downes was once again left out of the squad for this afternoon's 1-0 home loss to Burnley in the FA Cup, Juric said: “Things happen in the window.

"We have a lot of professional players. Sometimes players make mistakes. It’s an ugly situation because his attitude was not good. It’s a little bit of a club problem and we’ll see now.

“We have Bednarek who refused a big offer for his life to a big club and was always training and playing the games and that’s what I expect from all players.”

[Cabanas Blue]

He thought he was to good for our club, he didn't make it at West Ham, he just was not good enough for the premier league and never will be IMO and is a dirty player now with a bad attitude and I don't want him at Ipswich.

[marko69]

Very good player. Certainly the best @ Ipswich @ that time. By a distance. Was good to see him pick up the Euro Conference League medal with the Hammers after slaphead Cook had put him out in the Wilderness.

[hallamblue]

Marko, he put himself out in the wilderness, when he said he didn’t want to play for the club after we’d declined any interest from Palace ( not that a formal bid ever came in as I understand it).

He threw his toys out of the pram and threw a massive strop. Cook tried to talk to him but the player was having none of it, so Cook said (rightly), that Downes’ head was not in the right place to play football at that time.

When, some weeks later he did play, he was like a bull in a China shop, charging around the pitch flying in to reckless challenges from which he subsequently got injured, and didn’t play again for weeks.

The club needed him at that time because he was the best player of a bad bunch but his attitude cost him, and us. Now he’s doing it all again at Saints, 5 years on, so hardly matured has he.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

The club needed him at that time because he was the best player of a bad bunch but his attitude cost him, and us. Now he’s doing it all again at Saints, 5 years on, so hardly matured has he.

Good job he's not a cheese, then - or a bottle of wine.

[marko69]

Marko, he put himself out in the wilderness, when he said he didn’t want to play for the club after we’d declined any interest from Palace ( not that a formal bid ever came in as I understand it).

He threw his toys out of the pram and threw a massive strop. Cook tried to talk to him but the player was having none of it, so Cook said (rightly), that Downes’ head was not in the right place to play football at that time.

When, some weeks later he did play, he was like a bull in a China shop, charging around the pitch flying in to reckless challenges from which he subsequently got injured, and didn’t play again for weeks.

The club needed him at that time because he was the best player of a bad bunch but his attitude cost him, and us. Now he’s doing it all again at Saints, 5 years on, so hardly matured has he.

No idea where you’re getting the specifics from but fair enough, , but if all accurate, then the player realised his own potential and that Marcus Evans’ League One bound five point plan with a toss of a coin between Lambo , Hurst and Cook were not beneficial to his very promising career. And the slaphead put him in the 21s or 23s.
Too good a player to be having to deal with that type of thing. Arguing your corner in life, especially if its about ability doesn’t necessarily mean chucking the toys.
In my opinion of course.

Must admit, sitting in a changing room listening to Paul Lambert or Paul Cook would have me asking my agent about the “possibilities” !

[hallamblue]

There was a lot being written / reported about it at the time marko. I think from memory Downes lost it when the club wouldn't accept a bid from Palace, which they felt was lower than their valuation. Doenes himself at the time, and later said his head was.t in a good place to play football. He had a discussion with the manager ( Lambert?) And I think Downes put in a transfer request to give the issue, so he was put with U23's .... not sure the time frame re his injury which thfn took him out if the game anyway. But I remember him hurling himself round the pitch like a headless chicken, lunging into tackles, which subsequently led to his injury. He left the club under the infamous Demolition Man ... I think he went to Swansea, where he again reiterated his desire to leave Town. He went ftom there to West Ham, and eventually yo Daints.

I don't think he's done himself any favours, with his hot headed response to not getting his way. He's doing it again at Saints now. I'm do t think his game has progressed one jot since he left us tbf. His price tag now is ridiculous, and I personally feel his personality is not a " fit" with the way Town have now developed since GC took over.

I'm not the only Town fan to feel this way about him. His response to a few Town fans giving him the bird last season when he returned with Saints to PR, again underlines his perpencity to react strongly, to being challenged ( in the non football tackle way).

He's not for me....but of course others may view it totally differently. I'd be interested to know what others feel about a potential return of Downes ( i think McKenna wants him tbh and can see us going in for him in the summer now) .....

[marko69]

Just find it hard to swallow that he’s been a tw*t at every club he’s been at. I seen him being interviewed after a midweek game when Lambo was in charge; seemed a genuinely nice lad.

Anyway, at only 26, (and again if all reported with accuracy) hopefully he settles in somewhere and can be a tad happier with his career. He’s a talented laddie.

[Dubai Blue]

Everyone is assuming that it was us that showed an interest in him but Saints do have other relegation rivals.... just sayin'

Don't have anything to say about his alleged antics, often these stories are exaggerated and sometimes not. I can't say what is truth in this case.

Clearly he's a decent player and probably at home in the PL.

[mendipblue]

Don't really give a hoot what Downes does to be honest. Not a Town player so not interested. Is he better than what we have here? NO!!

[marko69]

Got to wonder if anyone gives a hoot that you don't give a hoot about Downes. Might go start a poll.

You'd be skint with that attitude down the pub here. "Not a Hibs player so not interested" ? --->> well get tae the fuckin' bar and get the drinks in if you can't be in the conv!

[hallamblue]

Lol that's the way Marko .... mines a double btw x

[hallamblue]

Taken from the BBc sports page today re FD and his Saints bust up. I'll put money on it we go in for him in the summer... mores the pity because a Leopard never changes its spots. Hus attitude is the big issue i have with him, and he's supposed to be their captain!!


Flynn Downes' "attitude" has come under fire from Southampton manager Ivan Juric, but we wanted to know whether you would continue to leave the defensive midfielder out of the team.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Kev: Flynn Downes has acted like a petulant child, if what Juric says is correct. In life and work we all have situations which we are unhappy about, but we are paid to do a job. If we don't like it and are unable to leave, we have to carry on and work hard and prove ourselves. If we all took Downes' attitude, we would be sacked. Stop being an idiot, knuckle down and try to help the team at least restore some pride in one of the worst seasons in Southampton's history!

Antoine: He should have gone to Ipswich when he had the chance.

Kris: This isn't a new phenomenon - an underperforming player thinks the grass is greener elsewhere, won't take responsibility and agitates for a move. The club would be better off without him. He should have been red carded for his elbow to Morgan Gibbs-White's face and they looked a lot better when he was substituted. Well done Juric, no time for divas.

Noah: I personally think he is a great player and we really need someone like him. We should definitely keep him until 2026 and then go from there.

Lee: Yes, absolutely he should leave. His performances on the field have been below par and, at this point, all of the players should be doing whatever it takes for the club. If you don't like it, move on.

[ashfordblue]

Flynn is a local lad and I think he wants to come back to the area KM could sort his attitude out whereas Paul Cook couldn't I just have a feeling he will be back in the summer or if he wants to cancel his contract with Saints it could be sooner, watch this space

[hallamblue]

I think he's actually from Brentwood originally Ash, and I'm sure i read somewhere his family lives somewhere in the Chelmsford area now. They're all staunch West Ham fans!

[ashfordblue]

I think he's actually from Brentwood originally Ash, and I'm sure I read somewhere his family lives somewhere in the Chelmsford area now. They're all staunch West Ham fans!

Liz to me Suffolk and Essex are local-ish

[hallamblue]

Lol, I find it fascinating that you can travel just 17 miles down the A12, and it's like you've stepped into a different world and mindset. I worked in Colchester General for about a year, and frankly hated it, and to all intents and purposes, I could have been working on Mars, as it couldnt have felt less
" local" if it tried. .