Southampton manager Ivan Juric has expressed his disappointment with former Blues midfielder Flynn Downes’s attitude.

Downes joined the Saints on a permanent basis from West Ham in the summer following a loan spell last season but has been out-of-favour recently having been a mainstay of former boss Russell Martin’s side.

Town also made an offer to Downes in the close season and, as revealed earlier in the week, Southampton were unwilling to allow the 26-year-old to move to a relegation rival during this window.

Downes was left out of the squad for the game against the Blues a week ago when Juric said there had been “some problems” with the Town academy product in the days leading up to the game.

The Brentwood-born schemer was again absent for today’s FA Cup tie against Burnley at St Mary’s, which the Championship side won 1-0.

“Things happen in the window,” Juric told BBC Radio Solent. “We have a lot of professional players. Sometimes players make mistakes. It’s an ugly situation because his attitude was not good. It’s a little bit of a club problem and we’ll see now.

“We have [Jan] Bednarek who refused a big offer for his life to a big club and was always training and playing the games and that’s what i expect from all players.”

The Croat manager added: “It’s a bad situation, I think that sometimes when a market window happens, things that you don't want happen.

“Now we have to think about how to resolve the problem, but I have to say I was a little bit disappointed.

“It’s not unusual. They do not do things correctly like you have to do. What is important is to put on the T-shirt, go to the training and train hard. 

“Then you can disagree with the coach or with the club or with everybody. What is important is training hard, playing hard and then everything is resolvable.”

Photo: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images via Reuters Connect

MVBlue added 22:45 - Feb 8 Welcome Flynn you may return
-11

RobsonWark added 23:49 - Feb 8 Sounds like Flynn. He is a bad egg. I for one don't want him back at Playford Road. He went on strike with us because we refused to sell him to Swansea wasn't it. He is so unprofessional.
19

Saxonblue74 added 23:56 - Feb 8 Ironic isn't it? Didn't want to play for us as he wanted out, now he doesn't want to play for Southampton as he wants to come back! No place at Town for with that attitude. Not then, not now.
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howsey51 added 04:48 - Feb 9 Schemer is right. For the wrong reasons.
5

Wickets added 07:02 - Feb 9 Maybe two sides to every story ?
7

victorysquad added 07:29 - Feb 9 I am not condoning Flynn, but it is not the first time a player has tried to force a move. To be fair to him, i suspect he wants to be closer to family and has a young child, so i can understand if the move is best for his family, he wants to do best by them. I am sure he will return in the summer and the conversation about conduct will be had. It is still a bit of a gamble, But the lad has talent, we know that.

1

Dissboyitfc added 08:07 - Feb 9 sounds familiar, we dont need bad eggs!
4

Dissboyitfc added 08:07 - Feb 9 sounds familiar, we dont need bad eggs!
0

poet added 08:35 - Feb 9 So we don’t know exactly why his manager is very disappointed with Downs’ attitude, but let’s be honest, at ITFC we know just how childish he was when he played for us. Things didn’t go his way, so it was tantrum time. Thumb in and refusing to play. Looks as though things haven’t changed much. I for one was very pleased he didn’t make a comeback at Town. In my opinion, he’s not good enough for the Premier League. His opinion of his ability didn’t match that of West Ham’s and he struggled to get starts. The Championship is his playground, that’s where he belongs.

6

itsonlyme added 08:38 - Feb 9 Let’s hear his side of the story before we condemn him!
6

Saxonblue74 added 08:45 - Feb 9 Or maybe one side to two stories Wickets?!
0

bluebullet29l added 08:59 - Feb 9 Exactly why he is not wanted here... jog on you spoilt little brat
4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:42 - Feb 9 There will surely be many other options should we need one in the future.
0

ArnieM added 10:15 - Feb 9 Groundhog Day for Mr Downes I fear. He's no different now ( temperament wise) to hiw he was 5 years ago. He thinks he's better than he is. And on hus got balling ability. Well yes, he was the dogs boll ox in a very poor Town squad back in the day, but from what I've seen of his game ( Ive seen a lot of Saints games last season and this), for me he's for me he's gone backwards, and certainly isn't PL level. I'm dreading the thought that McKenna wants him here next season.

1

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 10:28 - Feb 9 If he wanted to be close to home with his young child, he wouldn't have picked Southampton over us in the summer. We don't know the full story - but it's clear the manager doesn't think he's putting in effort in training after being benched.
0

Essexnblue added 10:57 - Feb 9 I personally know why he left ITFC, or was driven out by the manager Paul Cook as he needed to raise funds and play up to the pathetic name of the demolition man. I think that he had unfair press at ITFC, as for this outburst based on what has gone to press, I have no idea. I am sure he would be an asset but when you have Morsy, Taylor, Cajuste, Phillips and Massimo playing in his position, I wonder why we want to sign him?

3

Trimleytractor added 11:17 - Feb 9 Essexnblue I'm not for a moment saying anything negative about Morsy and Luongo because they've been fantastic for us. Unfortunately, like the rest of us, they ain't getting any younger and Cajuste and Phillips are loanees. Regarding Flynn Downes, I think you should allow McKenna to assess whether or not he could get the best out of the player.
3

Bluewhiteboy added 11:23 - Feb 9 Because he's alot better than them accept cajuste and Phillips who lets not forget are our players. He's also a battler which we need now more than ever. Long term next season when we're back 46 league games remember we will have morsy who will be another year older and slower getting even more suspensions, mas as well. Leaving us with Taylor who will be good in championship but not the downes type. People on here all talk like they are part of the backroom staff. Do you ever have disagreements at work (prob not as half prob don't even work on here) we've heard the managers side but not his. I hope he does come here next year and maybe he could actually keep us up

-6

KMcBlue added 11:40 - Feb 9 On available evidence, would not want Downes, however his manager is unprofessional throwing him under the bus in public...
2

Saxonblue74 added 12:13 - Feb 9 Essexnblue, despite his limited success during his tenure, we have a lot to thank Paull Cook for. Many of his signings were instrumental in our back to back promotions. There is no way on earth that Downes would have "lowered" himself to play in league 1.
2

Saxonblue74 added 12:17 - Feb 9 KMcBlue, Juric would be facing questions from Saints fans as to why he was not selecting one of his best players. Why not "throw him under the bus"? He's paid handsomely to play for his club and offer his best to the fans that pay his wage.
0

Saxonblue74 added 12:19 - Feb 9 Bluewhiteboy, other midfielders are available!
0

blueboy1981 added 14:52 - Feb 9 Cloudy Water under the Bridge describes - Joh On Downes but not at Portman Road again !
1

PhuketPete added 04:00 - Feb 10 Paul Cook did some good things for which we should always be grateful but his treatment of some players, including young developers, “didn’t bring out the best in them” (to say the least). It was an unhappy time for all and so I don’t blame Flynn for wanting out when Bristol came calling which of course pre dated KMcK’a arrival. No doubt last summer was a bit disappointing but he’d got a good thing going with Southampton and Russell Martin and beyond that we just don’t know the facts. My view is simple. He was one of our ours and if KMcK wants him back that’s good enough for me. No grudges at my end.

2

runningout added 16:47 - Feb 10 Russell Martin could have a job at a decent club again and he may go for Flynn
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