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Downes Confident Ahead of Season Opener
Monday, 30th Jul 2018 06:00

Midfielder Flynn Downes felt the Blues more than held their own during Saturday’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Premier League West Ham, the club he and his family support, and the 19-year-old is confident going into next Saturday’s Championship opener at home to Blackburn Rovers.

“I thought we were very good for the majority of the game,” Downes said of the West Ham match.

“The second goal was a bit of a mish-mash but I thought for the whole game we did well, we pressed and played out as well.

“I don’t think you could tell that they were a Premier League team and we’re in the Championship, I thought they wasn’t really a lot in it.”

He added: “We started a bit slowly and they went 1-0 up and we were thinking, ‘Oh no!’, but I think we reacted really well.”

He says you could see West Ham’s Premier League class: “What they do on the ball is something special and I think at the end in the last 10 minutes they started getting on top a little bit.

“But I think throughout the game we competed well. I think we matched them toe-to-toe and I thought the boys were excellent.”

Downes feels the squad is getting the hang of new manager Paul Hurst’s style of football and are fitter going into this season after a tough pre-season programme.

“He knows what he wants us to do and I think that’s finally getting through,” he said.

“In the first couple of games I thought we were kind of getting used to what he wanted us to do.

“But I think now we know and we’re fit enough to do what he wants us to do, the pressing. I think we do know what we’re doing now and I think it showed out there today.


“I think we’re gradually learning, I don’t know how long it’ll take but as you can see today, it’s a different style we’re playing from last year.

“It’s rubbing off already and obviously we’ve got to keep going the way we’re going and hopefully we’ll get a lot better at it.”

Downes says the extra level of fitness will prove beneficial as the season progresses: “In the first 20 minutes I was blowing a little bit but then I got my second wind and I felt fine.

“It does make a big difference. If you’re feeling lethargic you’re going to be struggling but the boys felt fit out there today and it showed with the pressing.”

Downes is from Brentwood in Essex with the Hammers the club he has supported since he was a child: “My whole family have supported West Ham, so it was good to play against a few of the big players, that was good.”

He was also delighted to get under the collar of Jack Wilshere, who was booked for fouling him in the first half.

“He was getting the hump, wasn’t he?” Downes laughed. “I’ll take that! He was getting hump, which is always a good sign.

“It was a good experience to play against him, just to see what that level’s like. It was a good experience.”

Downes was joined in the centre of midfield by two other teenagers, Andre Dozzell, also 19, and Tristan Nydam, 18. He admits facing a side such as West Ham’s was a big ask for the trio of teenagers but says they didn’t get intimidated by the prospect going into the game.

“It was but before the game we didn’t really feel the pressure,” he said. “We were relaxed, we were confident and to be fair I’ve known Tristan and Doz since the U8s, so it was crazy going out there against West Ham with them, crazy.”

He says new boss Hurst makes the younger players feel just like every other member of the squad.

“He says to go and play your natural games,” Downes continued. “Obviously he wants us to do certain things, like in that game when to sit a bit more with Doz and Trist pushed on.

“He makes us feel like every other player. I feel like I’m at the senior level and I think that does help massively. It’s good for our confidence. I don’t feel like a youngster any more and I like that.”

Ellis Harrison, who netted Town’s goal against the Hammers, is one of four summer additions so far and Downes says the new signings have settled in well.

“I think we’re like a family here so, speaking on behalf of the new boys, when they come in they fit right in and I think that shows as well, we are a real team.”

He says the speculation regarding Martyn Waghorn’s future hasn’t really had too much of an impact on the rest of the squad.

“I think we’re all just getting on with it,” he reflected. “Obviously we don’t want him to go, he’s a top, top player but we’re just getting on with it and we’re doing our own thing.”

Town opted not to allow Downes and Nydam to join up with the England U19s squad for the European Championships in Finland over the last fortnight and he admits he would ideally like to have made the trip, while realising that his club comes first.

“It was a little bit disappointing because you always want to represent your country, that’s a dream,” said Downes, who has won five caps at U19s level.

“But Ipswich is the main concern. I was a bit disappointed but it’s alright, I’ll get through it!”

New loanee from Chelsea Trevoh Chalobah did make the trip to the Euros, where England went out in the group stage, before appearing as a late sub for Town on Saturday.

Downes has been impressed with what he has seen of his England U19s team-mate.

“He’s good, he’s a proper athlete, he’s good on the ball as well, so we’re expecting big things,” he said.

Looking ahead to next week Downes says he is going into the new season and the opening fixture against Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn Rovers full of confidence.

“I think we look really good,” he said. “Personally, that’s the fittest I’ve felt out there, that’s speaking on behalf of the boys as well, we’re all feeling fit, strong, powerful and with the ball as well, our quality’s good. Yes, I think we’re looking good and feeling confident.”


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Dissboyitfc added 06:43 - Jul 30
Sounds like the players are starting to enjoy the new ways oh PH, so am i, i'm loving it!
18

ArnieM added 06:49 - Jul 30
THIS is what Ipswich Town FC are about !
22

therein61 added 07:31 - Jul 30
Sir Bobby would have loved you 3 youngsters credit to you all keep it going you are the future of our great club
21

Steelmonkey added 07:52 - Jul 30
It was really good to see the passing game that town are putting together, we were unlucky not to get at least a draw.
With the likes of Downes, Nydam and Dozzell pushing for first team places it's good to see that these players are (a) good enough and (b) given a decent chance to prove their worth.
I'm feeling good at the prospect of seeing attractive and exciting football this season, just hoping that going into the last days of the transfer window the club will be able to bolster the squad with a few more quality players that they have targeted.
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Karlosfandangal added 07:57 - Jul 30
Let's hope the fans don't get on their backs if they have a few bad games and Town are not top of the table.
If we can keep these youngsters then each year Town are not doing a rebuild just buying one or two quality signing to improve the team.
These lads could just play in the Prem for us and not get lost in the Chelsea reserves etc.

Nice to see long term permanent signings and not 4 or 5 loans, shows we are building for the future.
19

afcfee added 08:25 - Jul 30
He looked really good against West ham and so did Chabolah when came on. Got to be out of them 2 for the holding role for me.
4

SonOfSpock added 08:33 - Jul 30
Am I the only one that thinks Downes looks like Dolph Lundgren?
2

lightingblue added 08:47 - Jul 30
I went on Saturday. In all fairness the boys played very well against a very strong West Ham team, which I guess was not far of their starting 11. Ipswich did have 5 or 6 teenage players on the pitch at any one time. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Harrison looks as though he cold do some damage this season.
In brutal honesty though we may have to settle for something around mid table like position this coming season. Allow Paul hurst to further review what he inherited and who he can bring in. Unfortunately due to clubs financial situation we will more than likely lose a few of our better players. I guess Evans doesn't have a bottomless pot of money.
Furthermore again personally I always think a manager should get the first season under his belt before we start think how we are going to move progressively up the table.
The 1 area of concern, and hurst has said he is try to address the situation is with the defence. There wee times when it looked all a bit wobbly and this area I can see causing and costing is points throughout the season.
In essence we have 3 outstanding young midfielders who I would like to see get more game time but fully appreciate that they are not going to play the entire season. With that in mind we do have hopefully the likes of bishop and Huws back fit keen and eager and whom are very good footballers themselves.
In regards to bishop, this could be the most important season of his Ipswich career. He needs to stay injury free and try to get regular games. Failing that I'm afraid he may have to start looking elsewhere for football.
8

marco007 added 08:50 - Jul 30
Hats off to the club and the new boss for having the confidence to play three teens and all from the academy.
Call me old fashioned but it is refreshing to see young lads given the opportunity :)
14

lightingblue added 08:59 - Jul 30
In reference to my defence concerns. This was more on the central areas. Guess you could always play Spence or Jonas (always spell his surname wrong) in that position albeit not ideal. Again may have to titivate a bit with this position. Looking at the size of Kenlock and Emmanuel, you wouldn't nick their lunch. Their huge!! Kenlock in although he had a bit longer on the pitch also looks a handy footballer for his size with Emmanuel looking strong in the tackle.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 08:59 - Jul 30
sounding good, its certainly looking like we will be seeing football not hoofball . If the rest of the squad are in same frame of mind [i suspect they are] we could surprise a few teams this season.Like Karlos said ,dont get on the backs of these youngsters when the inevitable mistakes occur,and get behind them and the manager. Should be a good attendance now ,so lets MAKE SOME NOISE,let the team and the opposition know we are there .COYB. ,FOOTNOTE: It would be nice to see / hear Tony Mowbray get a good reception..
3

BlueBlood90 added 09:04 - Jul 30
Without a doubt one of the biggest positives was the 3 young lads in midfield. They all know each others games inside out where they've grown up together. None of them seemed fazed by playing against a team full of stars either. If Jack Wilshere did the same as Dozzell's assist up the other end it would've been all over the internet. Just hope we can add 2 or 3 quality players and think we can surprise a few people this season
6

JewellintheTown added 09:48 - Jul 30
@SonOfSpock - "I must break you".
1

JewellintheTown added 10:08 - Jul 30
Unfortunately only had live streaming to watch the game but though we had a great game overall. Concerned a bit for the first goal with Bart not looking like he was positioned correctly and slow to get down, but we'll forgive him for that - lessons learnt. Cracking little pass from Dozzell for our goal though and nice run in and finish. Will boost both their confidences no end. Bit of a mess and we were unfortunate with their second, but again, lessons will be learnt, particularly for Woolfenden and Dozzell. Nice job.
0

Bluefish11 added 10:43 - Jul 30
Maybe it was just me but I felt it was like the dawning of a new era on Saturday. Only 3 long balls the whole game, 2 of which were won by Harrison who gets up well for a med size striker. Lots of fast, pacy, skillful play on the ground with loads of rapid closing down throughout the game putting WH under constant pressure. For me it was the best game in 10 years and I came away excited not defeated. If that style becomes our norm, especially with Chalaboah in front of the back 4, then we are in for an exciting times ahead, even if it takes 2-3 years. Youth, skill and fitness in depth, bring it on.
2

Monkey_Blue added 11:04 - Jul 30
We certainly kept it on the deck and swarmed their players when they had it. We need signings though as to keep that style of play going through 46plus games will see players needing a rest.
0

ronnyd added 14:11 - Jul 30
SonofSpock. hope he plays better than Lundgren acts.
0


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