Town midfielder Flynn Downes has reflected on his need to seek outside help earlier in his career when he felt he wasn’t living up to his own high expectations of himself.
Downes, 20, opened up about the problem — and how he had consulted a therapist — back in February, admitting: "I had gone from playing for the U18s, to being in the first team here.
"Then I got picked for England [U19s]. Everything was on a high but then when things started to drop off for me, my head started to go.
"I was going home thinking I wasn’t fit enough and that I needed to do more.
"Then the anxiety over that started to affect me in training. It started to get to me mentally. I was going into training and over-thinking stuff.”
Part of the answer for Downes, who comes from Brentwood and joined the academy when he was still at primary school, was to join Luton on loan for the second half of the 2017/18 season, clocking up 10 appearances for the Hatters as they won promotion from League Two.
Speaking at the training ground today, Downes added: "I put pressure on myself. I think everyone is different but me, personally, I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well and when I thought I wasn’t, that’s when things started affecting me.
"But I’m feeling really good at the minute so that’s all in the past really.
"The therapist helped me a lot and it’s all good now. Going out on loan to Luton helped me big-time.
"It was a change and I think change is always good. Mick McCarthy knew I needed that as well so it was a good choice.
"I feel I’ve got better every year. I’m progressing and working hard; I’m getting bigger and filling out, and playing games helps. I want to try and play as many games as I can this season and see where I go from there.”
Downes needs three more appearance to make the half-century mark and he continued: "Somebody said to me the other day that I was close to my 50th and I was surprised. I don’t really keep count but that’s quite a lot, isn’t it?
"The more games I play, the more I believe in myself. You just get used to playing and when you miss a few you come back and you don’t feel as sharp. When you’re playing week in, week out, it helps everything.”
"Every player wants to play and for me it is doing me good. I’m playing games and gaining valuable experience, which is what I need and what every young player needs.
"I’m getting confidence as well because we’re winning games and that breeds good performances.
"I think we’re looking good at the minute. Every player needs what the manager has given me here.
"You need the gaffer’s backing and I’m buzzing with that. Since he’s come in he’s done unbelievably well and we’ve just got to keep it going.”
Downes is enjoying the fact that other academy products are seeing more and more senior action, thanks in the main to Lambert’s policy of resting the majority of his more experienced players for the cup competitions, his focus firmly fixed on leading the club back to the Championship above all else.
Brett McGavin, Tommy Hughes and Tyreece Simpson have all earned promotion this term and Downes added; "I first played with Brett when we were younger and he’s technically gifted.
"Everyone can see that when he’s on the ball. It was always just a matter of time before he made the breakthrough into the first team.
"He’s just got to grab that opportunity and I’ve heard he has done, so well done to him.
"The academy has always been good here and is well known for having a good base.
"We’ve just got to keep bringing the young players through and the more they play the more it will do them good. They’ll progress and hopefully go on to be a big part of the team.”
Downes has returned from his latest international duty with the England U20 squad, which saw them play Portugal away and Iceland at Adams Park, the home of Wycombe Wanderers.
He said: "I love it to be fair. It’s a bit of a change in scenery. We went to Portugal and the weather wasn’t too great — I was hoping to come back with a tan but unfortunately it didn’t happen, although I still enjoyed it!
"I feel I’m part of it now. I was on standby two international breaks ago and it didn’t really make that much difference to me.
"All the lads and the staff make you feel as though you’re a part of it and I’ve got to the stage where I really feel it. They are such a good group that it’s always enjoyable.
"I played the whole 90 minutes against Portugal and I think it was about 20 minutes against Iceland.
"It feels a lot different to playing in League One. It’s not as physical and when you’re playing in the league you are up against 30-year-old big old geezers, you know what I mean?
"When I’m playing for England it’s against people my own age and it’s more technical than physical.
"We got back at about 2.30 on Wednesday morning — it was a long night and the drive back wasn’t too nice. But the training’s been good and I’m really looking forward to the Blackpool game.”
Downes was joined on his two-game international break by Town team-mate Andre Dozzell, who went straight into the line-up for Wednesday night’s FA Cup first round replay win at Lincoln.
"It’s like home comfort having Doz around,” laughed his fellow midfielder. "I’ve probably been with him at the club for about 12 years now. I share a room with him as well but sometimes it would be good to get away from him — only joking!
"Tristan [Nydam] is another one I’ve been alongside for many years. It’s crazy, isn’t it? We all played together in the pre-season friendly against West Ham last year and that was such a mad moment for all of us.
"There we were, all playing together on the big stage after starting out together as little kids.”
Nydam is currently sidelined as he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury and Downes added: "He’s good to be fair. He’s just a happy kid and he doesn’t let it affect him too much.
"I’ve seen him in the gym quite a lot lately — he’s trying to bulk up a little bit — and he’s looking good. He’s getting better but I don’t know how long he’s got to go. He’s getting there.”
Downes is encouraged by England manager Gareth Southgate’s policy to promote players into the senior squad when he feels the time is right.
"He’s giving young players a chance — Mason Mount, Declan Rice etc — and I was playing with them last year.
"It gives me hope that it is achievable and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.
"There’s a lot of tough competition for places in the U21 side but I feel that if I keep doing what I’m doing, playing well and hopefully adding a few more goals to my game, you never know what might happen.
"I need a goal and I’ve been saying for a while that I need to add goals to my game. I feel like one’s coming and it’s certainly due.”