Flynn Downes

[Midfield_General]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

I'd personally keep Charles and Edozie 

Exclusive: I've been told Charles and Eddie will definitely both be here next season.

You can trust me on this... would I lie to you? 

 

EDIT: Oh god this shit joke is going to sit at the top of the page now isn't it

Edited February 3 by Midfield_General

[OldNick]

5 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

Agreed, he is nowhere near dynamic enough for Juric. 

It is a combination of loss of confidence and perhaps not liking IJ and his manner. He was obviously close to RM and he and perhaps Fraser are missing him a bit much. I truly want Downes to fit in as he could be good, but he does seem to have lost pace and bite

[OldNick]

2 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Exclusive: I've been told Charles and Eddie will definitely both be here next season.

You can trust me on this... would I lie to you? 

 

EDIT: Oh god this shit joke is going to sit at the top of the page now isn't it

I think I may try and keep this alive every time we are due for a new page lol

[gio1saints]

On 02/02/2025 at 11:15, trousers said:

I'm inclined to agree although, as one or two others have pointed out recently, there's going to be an 'elephant in the room' next season for all those players who are "great in the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League".

That is, the likes of Downes and Adam Armstrong had a significant incentive to perform out of their skin last season: they had the 'prize' of playing in the Premier League the following season.

However, next season, that prize won't exist as it's now clear they would need to be jettisoned if/when we get promoted. 

As such, there's a fair chance they won't have the heightened levels of motivation they had last season... (Yeah, I know....  they're professional footballers and will naturally want to play their best regardless of the circumstances, but a lot of the game is played in the mind and these guys are only human...)

It's a nuanced point but I think you've hit the nail on the head. Given that some/ too many of the players are showing themselves not up to EPL standard in either RM or IJ style it seems obvious that the best time to start building a team of players who may be able to both get us out the Championship AND compete at EPL is not next season, but frankly, now. 

Having to ditch all our currently EPL players then recruit a whole squad of new players just to get out the Championship, and then ditch 90% of those as well as they will ( on current evidence) be unlikely to be competitive in the EPL is a horrific prospect. Makes what Forest did look reasonable. Basically do not bother getting any players name on your new shirt cos there's hardly any chance they will be with us more than a season if we go up. This can be moderated a little if we start the clear out now and only replace with players that (a) will be able to do what they told to get us out the Championship and (b) have got the potential to compete at EPL level. Agents are rubbing their hands at SFC.....gone are the days you could recite a team from such and such a season... 

[iansums]

5 minutes ago, OldNick said:

It is a combination of loss of confidence and perhaps not liking IJ and his manner. He was obviously close to RM and he and perhaps Fraser are missing him a bit much. I truly want Downes to fit in as he could be good, but he does seem to have lost pace and bite

Did he bring Lucy Pinder into training a couple of times a week?

[Dman]

21 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

Agreed, he is nowhere near dynamic enough for Juric. 

Based on what? about 100 minutes of football, half of which is coming back from a injury?

I'm not having anyone say Downes is less 'dynamic' than Aribo. 

Edited February 3 by Dman

[suewhistle]

I'd have to say that what has struck me about Downes this season is the number of times he has given the ball away, and maybe his slight build as opposed to 'dynamism'.

[Teamsaint1]

12 minutes ago, OldNick said:

It is a combination of loss of confidence and perhaps not liking IJ and his manner. He was obviously close to RM and he and perhaps Fraser are missing him a bit much. I truly want Downes to fit in as he could be good, but he does seem to have lost pace and bite

It is really hard to look good in a side that is  struggling as much as we have.  Only AR, KWP, Fernandes and Dibling have managed to look consistently good. I think as part of  a solid midfield unit he would be quite at home in the PL. He has been pretty exposed at times to say the least, with little effective help  But maybe upper Championship really is his level.

Either way , you's have to hope that he more about him than throwing his toys out just because he didn't go straight back into the starting line up, because recruiting a better CM ,even if we get our money back on him, is going to be really tough.

[saintant]

19 minutes ago, iansums said:

Did he bring Lucy Pinder into training a couple of times a week?

Did they train a couple of times a week under Russ? Hadn't realised that.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

1 hour ago, gio1saints said:

Agents are rubbing their hands at SFC.....gone are the days you could recite a team from such and such a season... 

There is a mural at Ipswich Town which says Bobby Robson signed something teen (18?) players in his 13 years at the club. Really is quite staggering how many players a club gets through nowadays, hence the no loyalty. And being a club alternating between divisions our turnover will become greater than most clubs

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 hour ago, Midfield_General said:

Exclusive: I've been told Charles and Eddie will definitely both be here next season.

You can trust me on this... would I lie to you? 

 

EDIT: Oh god this shit joke is going to sit at the top of the page now isn't it

Hate to break it to you, but Eddie is dead.

[Midfield_General]

1 hour ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Hate to break it to you, but Eddie is dead.

And to think they said he was just on loan at Anderlecht 😢

Edited February 3 by Midfield_General

[redandwhitey]

Conspiracy theory #1

perhaps Downes heard of Ipswich interest during the week and got the right hump when Saints said no, or not at that price ???

[danjosaint]

Maybe he's gone all Peter Odemwingie and parked his car outside Portman Rd 

[Saint86]

6 hours ago, 23rdSaint said:

He's not allowed to go anywhere else on loan this season. Think there's a rule that you can only pay for a maximum of two clubs per season...

Had to check this. He played 14min for spam in the first game of the season. Hadn't realised that. Shame as he could do a job for us truth be told. 

Edited February 3 by Saint86

[austsaint]

6 hours ago, Toussaint said:

Agreed, he is nowhere near dynamic enough for Juric. 

Downes not dynamic enough for IJ but Smallbone is?

[Football Special]

12 hours ago, redandwhitey said:

Conspiracy theory #1

perhaps Downes heard of Ipswich interest during the week and got the right hump when Saints said no, or not at that price ???

Seems plausible based on Juric comments, if there was a clique close to Russ perhaps they are not enjoying the change of culture. Shame as I liked Downes , but even his move did seem odd where Martin implied he needed a lot of persuasion, needs to get his head down and put some decent performances in. 

[benali-shorts]

And if so, good timing by Ipswich to make an offer / unsettle the player in the week prior to playing us. 

[LGTL]

So Juric confirms that Downes is having a paddy because we wouldn’t sell him in the window. Probably because we sacked his mate. Fucking prick. 

Edited Saturday at 17:30 by LGTL

[Harry_SFC]

2 minutes ago, LGTL said:

So Juric confirms that Downes is having a paddy because we wouldn’t sell him in the window. Probably because we sacked his mate. Fucking prick. 

Downes and Armstrong both asking to leave because their mate Martin got the sack. Pathetic. 

[SambaMaverick]

Absolute tosser

Wants to take a look in the mirror at his own performances 

Fans should give him both barrels when he returns from his latest sick break

Sicknote cunt

[ErwinK1961]

Makes you wonder how close he really was to heading to Ipswich in the summer. Presumably Martin convinced him in the end to come.

What a complete bellend, he’s been utterly wank this season. It’s the club that pays your transfer fee and wages over a bumper contract, not the manager you odious toad.

Complete disrespect to the fanbase and shows how weak willed he is.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

Makes you wonder how close he really was to heading to Ipswich in the summer. Presumably Martin convinced him in the end to come.

What a complete bellend, he’s been utterly wank this season. It’s the club that pays your transfer fee and wages over a bumper contract, not the manager you odious toad.

Complete disrespect to the fanbase and shows how weak willed he is.

Their fans gave him loads of shit last season as well which he criticised them for in public.

Been dreadful this season, didn’t even put it in for his ‘hero’. Had to manage staff like him and they stink the workplace out, and irritate the hell out of your good staff. 

[Dusic]

Why on earth he would think we would sell him to Ipswich a few months after he turned them down to come here is bizarre.

Really poor from him. 

[Gloucester Saint]

On 04/02/2025 at 08:46, benali-shorts said:

And if so, good timing by Ipswich to make an offer / unsettle the player in the week prior to playing us. 

Didn’t do them any good 😂

[benjii]

What a prick.

[Wade Garrett]

He’s fucking shit anyway.  His performance against Forest showed how shit he is.  And he goes sick at the drop of a hat.  I would stop his wages.

[madge]

Interesting thst juric also suggested bednarek was offered a opportunity to leave

[The Kraken]

1 minute ago, madge said:

Interesting thst juric also suggested bednarek was offered a opportunity to leave

Trying to get him out of the way for Sugawara to play sweeper. 5 full backs ftw.

[Pamplemousse]

4 minutes ago, madge said:

Interesting thst juric also suggested bednarek was offered a opportunity to leave

We turned down a bid from Roma

Edited Saturday at 18:24 by Pamplemousse

[saintant]

Is he perhaps the proverbial bad apple?

[Farmer Saint]

54 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Downes and Armstrong both asking to leave because their mate Martin got the sack. Pathetic. 

TBF a lot of said this when Martin was sacked - the players bloody love him, however limited he is.

[S-Clarke]

6 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

TBF a lot of said this when Martin was sacked - the players bloody love him, however limited he is.

The players loved him because he covered up their limitations and allowed them to do whatever the fuck they wanted to do.

The preparation and start to this season tells you how utterly underprepared we were. They loved him because he gave them an easy ride.

Juric is a bit grizzly and will have a go, some of the softies won't like that. It is really poor show for him to drop and run like he has though, it's not like he's been the standout this year - he's been our worst midfielder by a mile.

[Toussaint]

15 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

We turned down a bid from 

Edited Saturday at 18:40 by Toussaint
Got it wrong, just read the article

[Fabrice29]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

The players loved him because he covered up their limitations and allowed them to do whatever the fuck they wanted to do.

The preparation and start to this season tells you how utterly underprepared we were. They loved him because he gave them an easy ride.

Juric is a bit grizzly and will have a go, some of the softies won't like that. It is really poor show for him to drop and run like he has though, it's not like he's been the standout this year - he's been our worst midfielder by a mile.

I think they liked him because he helped deliver their most successful season in their careers in terms of league position for quite a few of them I suspect.

It's not exactly a story that some players like one manager and some like other managers though. It mainly comes down to whether the manager is picking you or not. Not long ago Ugochukwu threw a hissy fit online because he wasn't picked and was being criticised on here , now he's in and Downes is out it's been switched up.

Interesting that Downes and Armstrong are pathetic despite being our best players last season and they are seeing a loan player and two attackers who have about 5 goals between them get praised. Loyalty is only one way.

[benjii]

Sulking about Ipswich has to be the most small-time thing ever. 

It ain't Real Madrid. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Loyalty is only one way.

Yeah, all that love for Lego, and he hasn’t got a clue who the fuck you are….

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Fabrice29 said:

I think they liked him because he helped deliver their most successful season in their careers in terms of league position for quite a few of them I suspect.

It's not exactly a story that some players like one manager and some like other managers though. It mainly comes down to whether the manager is picking you or not. Not long ago Ugochukwu threw a hissy fit online because he wasn't picked and was being criticised on here , now he's in and Downes is out it's been switched up.

Interesting that Downes and Armstrong are pathetic despite being our best players last season and they are seeing a loan player and two attackers who have about 5 goals between them get praised. Loyalty is only one way.

I didn't say Downes nor Armstrong are pathetic. Yes, they were our best players last season, but that doesn't give them a free ride to contribute absolutley fuck all this year and nor does it give them a free ride to take the piss out of the club and 'go on strike', which is what he's done. 

Ugochukwu is pretty shit fwiw, don't like him at all as he can't play football - so I haven't switched that up.

[SambaMaverick]

2 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

I think they liked him because he helped deliver their most successful season in their careers in terms of league position for quite a few of them I suspect.

It's not exactly a story that some players like one manager and some like other managers though. It mainly comes down to whether the manager is picking you or not. Not long ago Ugochukwu threw a hissy fit online because he wasn't picked and was being criticised on here , now he's in and Downes is out it's been switched up.

Interesting that Downes and Armstrong are pathetic despite being our best players last season and they are seeing a loan player and two attackers who have about 5 goals between them get praised. Loyalty is only one way.

Evidence of this hissy fit? From where I'm sitting, he's done everything Downes hasn't in terms of staying committed and fighting his way back in.

Downes' behaviour is 100% pathetic. He's cost us £15m, he's signed a contract and he's been shit all season.

Says a lot about his character that he'd rather cry off with Martin's cock still in his mouth rather than fight for a place in this this team.

 

[captainchris]

13 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

 

 

On 03/02/2025 at 15:34, Dman said:

Based on what? about 100 minutes of football, half of which is coming back from a injury?

I'm not having anyone say Downes is less 'dynamic' than Aribo. 

Downs is not as good as Aribo by a country mile. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

2 minutes ago, captainchris said:

 

Downs is not as good as Aribo by a country mile. 

Aribo is fuckin dog shit too, don't get the love in with him either.

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Aribo is fuckin dog shit too, don't get the love in with him either.

I struggle with Aribo as well, he's a good lad, but quality wise he's horrendous in my opinion. I imagine he'll be off to Turkey in the summer, that'll be a big chunk off the wage bill.

It'll be a big change up, but I think we need to say cheerio to the likes of Aribo, Bednarek, McCarthy, Stephens, Smallbone etc - guys that have been here quite some time now. It's time to build around Charles, Edwards and the like, players not tarnished by the mess that went on before them. The guys above are severely damaged goods.

[Pamplemousse]

All of this is very disappointing. We're a better team with Downes in it, if he's unhappy he needs to grow up.

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Pamplemousse said:

All of this is very disappointing. We're a better team with Downes in it, if he's unhappy he needs to grow up.

We were last year, this season not so much. He's been a big part of the reason we're sat on 9 points, our midfield has surrendered pretty much every game.

[Fabrice29]

15 minutes ago, SambaMaverick said:

Evidence of this hissy fit? From where I'm sitting, he's done everything Downes hasn't in terms of staying committed and fighting his way back in.

Downes' behaviour is 100% pathetic. He's cost us £15m, he's signed a contract and he's been shit all season.

Says a lot about his character that he'd rather cry off with Martin's cock still in his mouth rather than fight for a place in this this team.

 

Not much more than the evidence you have that Downes his crying off etc. Manager excluded him randomly from a squad or two and gave some vague "he knows why" answers in the media and he deleted all of his instagram references to Saints followed by media speculation he was back off to Chelsea in January. Manager was sacked, he's back in the team, Downes is out and now he's the one with the media speculation, random droppings and manager chat. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

8 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I struggle with Aribo as well, he's a good lad, but quality wise he's horrendous in my opinion. I imagine he'll be off to Turkey in the summer, that'll be a big chunk off the wage bill.

It'll be a big change up, but I think we need to say cheerio to the likes of Aribo, Bednarek, McCarthy, Stephens, Smallbone etc - guys that have been here quite some time now. It's time to build around Charles, Edwards and the like, players not tarnished by the mess that went on before them. The guys above are severely damaged goods.

Agreed. Fed up with seeing him just stroll around, pointing and not effecting the game. I'd get rid of them all to be honest, as a squad they are weak both mentally and physically. I really don't wamt to see Bree, Smallbone and Stephens next season.

[bugenhagen]

29 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Agreed. Fed up with seeing him just stroll around, pointing and not effecting the game. I'd get rid of them all to be honest, as a squad they are weak both mentally and physically. I really don't wamt to see Bree, Smallbone and Stephens next season.

I agree, but sadly, they are probably the only ones who want to be here next season...

[Dusic]

Why would anyone want to get rid of Smallbone FFS? He was very good last season, a key player in a promotion season.

Has been injured most of this so hardly to blame for anything.

Players like him who actually care a bit about the are exactly the ones who we do need for next season.

[Whitey Grandad]

5 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Why would anyone want to get rid of Smallbone FFS? He was very good last season, a key player in a promotion season.

Has been injured most of this so hardly to blame for anything.

Players like him who actually care a bit about the are exactly the ones who we do need for next season.

Waste of a place.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

10 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Why would anyone want to get rid of Smallbone FFS? He was very good last season, a key player in a promotion season.

Has been injured most of this so hardly to blame for anything.

Players like him who actually care a bit about the are exactly the ones who we do need for next season.

He came on today, and strolled around the pitch like we were four or five up. Absolute waste of a shirt. The amount of times he doesn't tackle just fucks me over. He's part of the weak mentaility we have at the club. We need to get rid, I don't care if he cares for the club, he is not good enough.