Downes Still With U23s Ahead of Chelmsford Visit
Wednesday, 4th Aug 2021 10:02

Town’s U23s are in friendly action at Chelmsford City this evening with outcast midfielder Flynn Downes again likely to be involved (KO 7.45pm).

The wantaway 22-year-old has continued to train with the U23s throughout pre-season despite Championship clubs having made approaches.

We understand AFC Bournemouth’s interest in Downes made significant progress during July but has now ended, while Peterborough United had an offer turned down by the Blues earlier in the summer.

Barnsley were believed to be keen prior to manager Valérien IsmaÃ«l's departure for West Brom.

Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and Stoke City were also linked with the Brentwood-born midfielder, however, those reports appear to have been speculative with sources close to the Robins having dismissed the claims.

Myles Kenlock and Brett McGavin have also been training with the U23s and also seem likely to be involved against the Clarets, who play in the Vanarama National League South.

Photo: Matchday Images

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bluewarrior added 10:15 - Aug 4

From the outside looking in you'd think that Downes would be better off getting his head down and focussing on what will hopefully be a promotion season at Town but it would appear that his head is still in the wrong place. I'd love him to stay and there's an argument to say that offering him a new and improved deal (cheaper then buying a similar quality replacement) would help sort the situation. Will be interesting to see how this one develops as it doesn't look as if we will sell unless the money is right.

90z added 10:19 - Aug 4

I think everyone knows how good Downes can be on his day. Other days he's looked average, hampered by niggly injuries and suspensions with no momentum. He's stated he doesn't want to be here and if a player doesn't want to play for our club then I think Paul Cook is doing the right thing and not involving him around the 1st team. I for one would of loved him to stay, but now I believe we have some better options.

pg888 added 10:24 - Aug 4 I think Downes summed his attitude up perfectly last season. Given the armband and some responsibility and ended up getting himself sent off. Palace turned his head since then he's been a shadow of the player he can be. Still comparatively speaking if we made a million for dozey Dozzell I can see why we're rejecting bids he has to be worth at least double.
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ldnj added 10:26 - Aug 4

Has he stated he doesn't want to stay or is it the manager's man management of the old squad, exiling the majority ? From the outside it seems clear Cook doesn't want him but ITFC must be happy to keep him as an employee on the wage bill or presumably they may have accepted an offer. Does exiling him help with the valuation and what they'd like to receive in payment to get him off the wage bill ? I presume they want to get him moved on soon to get something for the asset ?

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Timefliesbyintheblue added 10:43 - Aug 4

Every youngster deserves a second chance - this is the boys livelihood at stake. Yes, perhaps mistakes have been made, but we should either bring him back into the fold or help him find another employer.
You can not blame a 22 year old for the previous regime at ITFC. Indeed if it was as bad and unprofessional as we are lead to believe, who can blame him for wanting away at the time.

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BlueNomad added 10:55 - Aug 4 Time to cut our losses
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MaySixth added 10:56 - Aug 4 If Downes wants to stay, he needs to go to Cook and tell him as much and an opportunity needs to be given to him to impress in first-team training.
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Linkboy13 added 11:04 - Aug 4 Who in their right mind would want to buy a player with his attitude. Yes every player deserves a second chance but only if they deserve it by fighting for his place. Another over hyped over rated player at Ipswich but every player has his fan who thinks he's good .
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shefki86 added 11:14 - Aug 4

I really do not know where I stand on this one and can't imagine I'm the only one either. Would loved for Flynn to have come out like Dobra did as say he's going to fight for his place but just hasn't happened for whatever reason. Seems to have dragged on long enough though and we need a resolution sooner rather than later on this one. Surely on far too much money to be sat in the 23s all season

Europablue added 11:24 - Aug 4

Linkboy13 Harry Kane is now sulking and refusing to do the job that he is paid to do. In both situations, it is understandable that the players have their noses bent out of shape, but in the end, they have to do their jobs. I don't see any signs that Downes is sulking and refusing to train with the U23s.
The truth is a change of club will benefit a lot of our youngsters, who have either become demoralized or conditioned by the old regime and the shock of the new regime is too much for them. I have more respect for Downes who said that he wants to leave and is training with the U23s than I do for Harry Kane who is trying to force a move by refusing to do his job.

BeattiesBackPocket added 11:59 - Aug 4

Timeflysbyinblue he has been given a chance to show I'm he wants to be here look at Dobra he showed he wanted to be here and has played well in the first team pre season games since. Downed head was turned by palace and no club appears to be breaking down the door for him? Can we stop talking about a 22 year old being young in football and deserving a chance he has been in the first team past 5 years he's not progressed if anything gone backwards since his head was turned. I'm sick of players not playing for the shirt or wanting to be somewhere else he fits into that bracket unfortunately

itfcserbia added 12:07 - Aug 4 I'd say most would agree that Harry Kane is tarnishing his reputation at the moment.
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ArnieM added 12:32 - Aug 4

A player ( Downes or Kane etc) can be world beaters but useless if their attitude is all wrong . I've no sympathy for Downes I'm afraid . This is entirely of his own making where this club is concerned. The sooner he's gone the better got all parties I'd suggest . He doesn't see himself as a Todn player and hasn't done so for a season. The queue for his signature is staggering isn't it !

blues1 added 14:47 - Aug 4

Idnj. Yes, he has stated he wants to leave. He put in a transfer request too. And Cook made it clear at the start of preseason that those training with the u23s would have the chance to get themselves back into the 1st team picture. Dobra did so within 3 days. No1 else has done, tho jackson been involved. More I believe to put him in the sight of any suitors than anything else. Downes tho has clearly not done enough, if anything to show he wants to get back in favour, which suggests he still wants away. So while I'd be happy enough for him to get himself back in there its prob best for him to go. Trouble is, no1 seems to want him right now. Been interest, but no more. Maybe it's his attitude that's preventing any offers coming in.

Linkboy13 added 15:07 - Aug 4

What's Harry Kane's attitude got to do with it . Doesn't make Downes p-ss poor attitude right. The best and quickest way of getting a move is to give one hundred percent win Cook over as Dobra proved and take it from there. Even Jackson has got back into the first team squad like him or not which goes to prove although Downes is training with the u23s he's not actually breaking a gut to get back into the first team.

algarvefan added 15:28 - Aug 4

Flynn, doesn't want to be here, as well as wants to be elsewhere can end badly son. Think about what you are doing. Is the club, with new owners so awful, is it you, the club or your agent that's at fault here?

Get you head out of your back side and tell Paul Cook you want to fight for a place AND fight for it, you are a good player when you put your mind to it and your career is a very short one.

ldnj added 16:01 - Aug 4

blues1 Sorry I hadn't seen that he said after the end of last season that he wants to leave. I'm not overly surprised given the boss's attitude to his existing employees. He might be getting his head down, keeping quiet and trying to get in the squad but we don't know what the manager thinks. I'm just not sure it helps the valuation when it seems the club want to get rid of him.

Crinkle59 added 18:23 - Aug 4 One thing in all this ,being old fashioned it seemed to me that PC virtually humiliated certain players before then saying that they could fight for their place. the matter has gone too far, he needs to join a team(if any) that want him for the right price , he is hardly in the shop window?
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