Paul Lambert has praised Ipswich Town’s Flynn Downes after watching his side open their League One campaign with a 1-0 win at Burton Albion, as reported by TWTD.
Everton loanee Luke Garbutt bagged the only goal of the game, with the Tractor Boys hanging on a little as the game entered its final stages. Downes, a 20-year-old academy product, completed 90 minutes of the encounter.
“I think Flynn Downes is getting better and better. With each passing day, week and month he’s getting better that kid,” Lambert said after the match.
“As I said before, when I first saw him, I think he’s got a really big future. He’s a long way from the finished article but he’s certainly got a chance.”
Downes has been capped at Under 18 and Under 19 level by England, with his only spell away from Portman Road coming during a loan stint with Luton Town in 2017/18.
He played 30 times for Ipswich last season, an impressive amount of matches for a young player. He did damage his reputation a little in pre-season, being sent off during a friendly for a headbutt, but Lambert claims they’ve moved on from that.
“I had a chat with him on Friday down in Ipswich and just gave him [the benefit of] my experience,” added Lambert.
“The better player you are, things like that are going to happen to you. Just walk away from it, it’s hard with the emotion of the game, but I’m delighted with his performance because it was really, really mature.”
Our View
Downes is one of a couple of exciting young players coming through at Ipswich and, following the disappointment of relegation, they carry a lot of hope on their shoulders.
There might be more opportunity for them in League One, chances to get lots of regular football and develop mentally and physically. Downes is certainly one who should come out of the experience a richer, more rounded player.
