It was long before Town youngster Flynn Downes joined manager Mick McCarthy’s squad for training last season that the manager instantly spotted his potential.
McCarthy had seen and heard enough of the rising star to invite him to work alongside the club’s senior stars — and when the Essex boy’s crunching tackles dumped a couple of the big-name players on their backsides it struck a chord with the seasoned boss.
Fast forward to the present day and 18-year-old Downes is one of the more experienced outfield players expected to be in action at Selhurst Park tomorrow for the Caribao Cup second round clash with Crystal Palace.
McCarthy’s decision to rest his first-team regulars opens the door for a host of young talent all hoping to make their mark, just as Downes has done in the current campaign after making his debut as a substitute in the opening-day win over Birmingham City.
Downes recalled how he wasn’t afraid to tackle some of the club’s senior stars in a Playford Road training session but said: "I’m not going to say who they were, that wouldn’t be fair. But I like a tackle, it’s part of the game and you’ve got to do it.”
The highly promising midfielder from Brentwood is thrilled with his progress in the opening few weeks of the season, following his appearance against Harry Redknapp’s team with his first start in the Caribao Cup win at Luton and his full league debut in the 2-1 win at Barnsley before another substitute appearance in Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Brentford.
Tomorrow’s visit to South London will make it three starts and two outings from the bench in Town’s opening six games of the season, more than he dared to expect when first asked to join McCarthy’s training sessions last year, even if he was always mentioned favourably in despatches by the manager.
He remembered: "Getting involved in training with the first team squad was great and it was great for my confidence. I was training with them every now and again, and towards the end of the season I felt I was beginning to make a bit of an impact.
"I was on the bench for the last game at Nottingham Forest but that was really it. It has been a massive shock to be as involved as I have been already this season. It’s been great and I just want to keep progressing because I want more of the same.”
Asked about the season so far, he added: "For the team it has been unbelievable — five wins in a row — and you couldn’t ask for anything more really. For me it has been amazing because I wouldn’t have thought last year that I would be in this situation. I’ve worked hard and I’ve just got to keep pushing now.
"When I was involved in the pre-season games it worked wonders for me and my confidence. When you are playing for the U23s you are kind of more comfortable but when you make the step up you’re with new players and a new manager. It definitely did help to play in the pre-season games.
"All my family were at Portman Road on the first day of the season when I went on against Birmingham. They all love football but no one’s ever played it professionally or anything like that. They are all coming to Palace tomorrow as well.”