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Downes: Emyr’s an Absolute Tank!
Sunday, 19th Jan 2020 17:47

Flynn Downes says team-mate Emyr Huws is “an absolute tank” who has everything you’d want in a player. The 20-year-old is enjoying playing alongside the 11-times-capped Wales international, who he feels gives him confidence.

Downes and Huws have formed an impressive midfield three along with Alan Judge playing ahead of them during the Blues’ recent return to form.

The trio have started all four of Town's League One games since the turn of the year from which the Blues are unbeaten having picked up eight points.

“It’s unbelievable, the geezer’s an absolute tank,” Downes said when asked what it’s been like being partnered by the 26-year-old one-time Manchester City academy trainee.

“When I see him next to me I feel confident, do you know what I mean? And that’s always good, that’s what you need in your team-mates.”

Could Huws be the best player in League One? “Easy, he’s got everything as a player, he’s strong, quick, has got an unbelievable left foot, wins every header - what more do you want?”

Huws missed the whole of last season and half the previous campaign having suffered a knee injury in the game at Middlesbrough in December 2017.

“It’s been a good couple of years since he stepped out so now he’s played three games in a row all the boys are buzzing for him,” Downes added. “He’s quality out there, you can see it, he’s really good to have back.”

Downes says Huws, who initially joined Town from Cardiff in January 2017 before making his move permanent the following summer, stayed positive around Playford Road during his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“He’s always been good, you never see him down or anything like that, he’s always been happy. He’s a pleasure to have here,” he added.

“I couldn’t imagine being out for that long, I don’t know how I’d cope. Hats off to him, it’s unbelievable.”

The trio of Downes, Huws and Judge is keeping the likes of Cole Skuse, Andre Dozzell and Jon Nolan out of the team at present.

“There’s a lot of competition in midfield,” the England U20 international reflected.

“I think every single one of us can do a job out there, so luckily we’re just on a good bit of form now and hopefully we can keep our places in the team.”

Downes believes the more the three of them play together the more they’re getting to know how one another play.

“Big time,” he said. “That’s with anything, if you play with someone for a long time you get used to their game and that’s what we’re doing out there. I think you can tell, I think all the fans can tell that we’re playing better now.

“I think since we’ve gone three at the back as well we know what we’re doing. I think it’s a lot better.”

Downes is a fan of the current system with centre-halves Luke Chambers and Luke Woolfenden breaking forward.

“It gives you another option,” he said. “Sometimes when you’re playing 4-4-2 it’s a bit generic but three at the back I think it’s changed the game for us really.”


Photo: Pagepix



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therein61 added 17:57 - Jan 19
Really good to see Huws getting back to the player we signed he has been so unlucky with injuries I thought we never see him at his best again, credit to the boy for having the fight and will to come back and help make our midfield powerful instead of powder puff.
18

rfretwell added 18:16 - Jan 19
Fully agree therein61. So important that our midfield can win thecaefizl battles in this division and Huws gives us that. Now we just need him to rattle in a few long range piledrivers like he did before his injuries.
11

Dissboyitfc added 18:19 - Jan 19
Reading those last paragraphs suggests to me that the players weren't too keen on the rotation system either!

Great to have Huws back!
9

Suffolkboy added 18:20 - Jan 19
Right from the start he looked a real footballer ,and it was great business to get him for a virtual song from Cardiff ; the injuries have been most unfortunate , but let's hope all that is now safely behind him !
EH could be the powerhouse at the centre of an ITFC push ,and if he stays fit it might be hard to hang on to this player - he definitely showed signs of Premiership class early on !
All the best EH , enjoy and inspire !
COYB
8

WirralBlue added 18:44 - Jan 19
Huws, to me, when fit, is the best player in the Division by an absolute mile.

I don't believe Emyr is even close to his best, but if he stays fit, he will be.

COYB
12

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:45 - Jan 19
Really does feel like the players are really getting along on and off the pitch. Huws must love to hear this. Of promotion is achieved, the camaraderie will really help n the Championship. Lambo spreads the lurve.
6

ArnieM added 18:56 - Jan 19
So our midfield mini squad ( Huw, Downes, Judge, Bishop,Nolan) is finally taking shape and looking the part . But this has me pausing just for a moment to ask the question.......

Just where the hell is Dozzell in all this ? He's just seems to be fading away and bring left behind .
4

howdonblue added 18:59 - Jan 19
Love huws getting best form back !
Class player
5

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:59 - Jan 19
Good question Arnie. Talent in spades but just not quite at the races. I wonder if he just can't cope with the poor pitches and physicality on League One? Head might not be in the right place too for obvious reasons.
1

Blueballs83 added 19:42 - Jan 19
Dozzell needs to go on loan for rest of season to another League 1 side with a recall option. He's hasn't had a good run of games and would do his confidence some good. Also show the manager of what he can do over an extended run!
3

ITFCsince73 added 20:08 - Jan 19
Vital, Huws, Downes, Bish, Garbutt Woolf and Norwood stay fit here on in.
The new signing can step straight in and KVY returns ASAP. The rest we can cover.
4

ShropshireBluenago09 added 20:26 - Jan 19
His best game for us was Villa away when he first signed. Burst into the box and scored. He's almost back to that form.
2

Gazelle added 20:49 - Jan 19
A bit of extra weight in midfield has helped, doesn't get knocked off the ball like one or two others.
4

afcfee added 21:07 - Jan 19
Been a revelation him finding form/fitness and replacing Skuse, no disrespect to Skuse he was vital for our early form and I'm sure he'll have a big part to play.
3

Nobbysnuts added 21:47 - Jan 19
Unfortunately dozzell just isn't in the same class as downes and huws. It's as simple as that. Downes has moved forward as a player and dozzell has not. He just isn't good enough. We all knew huws was a great player anyway it is just keeping him injury free.
1

terryf added 21:54 - Jan 19
I've always thought that a fit Emyr Huws is going to be the difference between us going up automaically or not.

The guy's different class!!

At long last Lambert has found the right combination in midfield.

5

blueboy1981 added 22:22 - Jan 19
Lambert has had his arm forced make no mistake about that - players are no mugs when it comes to knowing what works best.
This is a typically honest post from a player - good on him for that, change from the Lambert approach was indeed needed.
Nothing performs like a settled team, as is proved so often - and yet again for us.
I think we've turned an important corner - collectively - being the operative word.
COYB.
3

magnus68 added 22:25 - Jan 19
Huws is our diamond stealth flying.
1

blueboy1981 added 22:34 - Jan 19
ArnieM - Dozzell has undoubted talent, but that is not all that is required, he quite simply hasn't pushed on when he has had every chance to do so.
Going out on loan may help him, but cannot see too may League 1 teams being interested.
Maybe a season long loan to Colchester, or the likes of would have the desired effect.
Sounds feasible to me right now, for obvious reasons.
3

budgieplucker added 00:04 - Jan 20
Huws has given us a higher level of tempo and is the best all round midfielder that we have - carrying the ball forward positively creates openings. It is tempting to draw a negative comparison with Cole Skuse and a more pedestrian approach which often slows the game down allowing teams to get behind the ball and frustrating the game. Having made that apparent criticism of Skusey who is a very good player in the right formation but having three at the back somewhat eliminates the need for a deep lying midfielder. Hopefully Cole can continue to serve us from the bench or perhaps cover for Flynn Downes. Unfortunately with Cole there is no prospect of a goal or two, great goal from Flynn yesterday and would luv to see him develop that side of his game to get into the box in Warkesque style. Least with Flynn and Emyr you can't rule out the posssibility of a goal threat.

I actually feel that Bish will eventually dislodge Alan Judge from the advance midfield slot. We are blessed with so much quality here, Jon Nolan I think can still come in and do a really good job. Pressure will be on Judgey now to perform consistently. The future is really bright here as both Jack Lankester and Idris El Miz.. can both easily drop into this role. I think El Mizouni will become an outstanding player for us but at the moment we need to get him loaned out to continue his development.

On to Andre, Who I think has played very well in his recent appearances, yes it's a shame he isn't progressing but I think he will do well in the Championship should we get back there. His class still shows through. Probably not the right time for him at the moment in this league, this time of the year and on these pitches.

Given that we have Tristan Nydam to come back who is very versatile and could well cover at wingback. The future is unbelievably bright and exciting. I think some of our talent is outstanding it is just getting the right blend of experience around the young players that will be the key in taking the club forward.

I haven't seen young Henderson or Andoh but with two giant young centre backs a year or two from making a break through then I can understand why Lambo and Evans paint a very bright outlook. Just need to get out of this drudge of a league - I think we have enough quality to get back to a mid table championship club developing further if we can keep producing quality young players.

3

karl1426 added 01:42 - Jan 20
Huws is like the best January signings! Up the Town!
2

Saxonblue74 added 06:32 - Jan 20
Always knew we'd see Huws come good again, credit to him for getting back to fitness. Dozzell? Maybe it's an attitude thing? He certainly wouldn't get into a PL team if that's not right. We see glimpses of his undoubted talent then he disappears for long periods. Needs to work hard for 90 minutes.
3

BlueySwede added 10:06 - Jan 20
In the beginning of the season I was starting to question if Huws was ever going to get back to form, slow, sloppy, etc. Almost looked like Jonathan Douglas in disguise..However these last five games or so he has really picked up and showed his class, and I have a feeling he will improve even more.
1

beornioblue added 16:29 - Jan 20
I do sincerely think Emyr is the player we have been missing for the last 10 years, combative, strong, creative, forward thinking, and wanting to score !!! Finally a midfield we can start really developing with through balls and advanced wingbacks etc !!!

Bring on Lincoln !!!!! We owe them a stuffing
0

ThatMuhrenCross added 18:42 - Jan 20
New Flynn Downes drinking game. Rules are simple:

1. If he uses a cliche, drink.
2. If he says "big time", down your drink
3. Whenever he refers to someone as a "geezer", drink.
4. Whenever he says "unbelievable", drink
5. Whenever he says "do you know what I mean", down your drink.
0


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