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Lambert: Downes is a Big Talent
Thursday, 4th Apr 2019 18:00

Town boss Paul Lambert believes midfielder Flynn Downes, who signed a new contract last week, is a “big talent” who has the “potential to be a really, really good player”.

The 20-year-old from Brentwood put pen to paper on a contract which runs to 2022 on Friday with the club having an option for a further year on top of that.

“He’s got potential to be a really, really good player, Flynn,” Lambert said of the academy product, “and I’ve always said that of him.

“He’s a big talent for the club and he’s played a lot of games now, and I just think it’s important for the club to tie him down as well as a few of the other young ones, there’s too many good young ones here to just walk out your door for more or less nothing really.

“These kids can be a hell of an asset to the club, and if they eventually go and make the height of it, you make sure you get a hell of a lot of money for them rather than what’s been happening before.”

Downes is yet to score a senior goal, either for the Blues or Luton where he was on loan during the second half of last season. Does he need to add goals to his game?

“It depends if he’s a sitter of an attacking midfielder,” Lambert considered. “I know he’s done both, he’s played defensive midfield for England [U19s and U20s], he’s done it when he’s been growing up here as well.

“We’ve played him in an advanced role, but he’s a really good footballer. One thing about Flynn is he’s not frightened, that’s for sure, he gets right in about it which is great and he’s really good footballer. It’s not as if the kid is just a physical player, he can play the game.”

Where does Lambert see Downes playing long-term, in a defensive or attacking role? “I don’t know yet until I see him in the defensive side of it. I need to have a little look at it, and maybe we’ll have a look at him to see if he can play that role because we’ve only really got Cole Skuse who can play that role.

“Emyr Huws might be able to do it, but I don’t know how fit he’s going to be, Trevoh Chalobah’s done it, but he’s not our player so it might be an option to have a look at.”

Downes is one of a number of young midfielders in and around the first team having come through the academy at present, along with Teddy Bishop, Andre Dozzell, Tristan Nydam and Idris El Mizouni. Does Lambert believe they can play together in the Blues’ midfield? next season?

“They have to because that’s the way the club is going to go,” he added. “It’s helluva exciting for them to play and they’re playing ever so well at the minute.

“But they need a little bit of help. Can they do it over 46 games? Nobody knows. But, one thing’s for sure, I know there’s a really good talented group in there.”


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jas0999 added 18:31 - Apr 4
I'm all for seeing the youngsters play - but I hope it will be supplemented with experienced players. Youngsters will struggle with the physical demands of League one football week in week out. Interesting and worrying times ahead.
1

muccletonjoe added 18:34 - Apr 4
Downes, Dozzell , Bishop and Nydam , should have been tried out in a town midfield, if it really is the way the club is going to go.
2

Saxonblue74 added 19:16 - Apr 4
Muccletonjoe, I'm sure they will get their chance next season. I'm thinking perhaps PL will be working a lot on their physicality through the summer as well as their game. As Jas0999 touched on, it will be a challenge for them to match up in league 1 without getting stronger. I've seen it in village football, kids as young as 15/16 running rings round opposition only to be scythed down by frustrated opposition.
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MattinLondon added 20:04 - Apr 4
Saxonblue, but if they were to be scythed down in L1 hopefully the yellow cards will be out soon after. Whereas in village and Sunday league the fat refs are far too lazy to book anyone.
1

ITFCsince73 added 20:37 - Apr 4
Luton Town top of L1. Average age of squad 25 years old.
Barnsley 2nd in L1. Average age of the squad 23!
3

afcfee added 09:21 - Apr 5
Anyone over Skuse in that role he has been shocking this year and at 33 not going to get better. I see Downes future as a Modric mould, B2B great energy good carrier of the ball.
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Dolphinblue added 09:01 - Apr 6
Cole Skuse is a great player and an asset to this club. Yes exciting youngsters bodes well for next season.
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Dolphinblue added 09:03 - Apr 6
And as for Dozzell Nydam, Downes, Bishop midfield, what you just gonna leave out Judge, Nolan, Edwards etc get real!
0


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