WHAT HAS HE GOT? FLYNN DOWNES

AGE: 19 CLUB: IPSWICH POSITION: MIDFIELD VALUE: £650,000 2018-19 APPS: 3 GOALS: 0

Since Paul Hurst took over at Ipswich, he has been moulding a side with several players brought from lower-league backgrounds. He will hope they are hungry and good enough to help the Suffolk side progress. Flynn Downes had a short spell on loan last season at Luton, where the reports were positive. Now back with his boyhood club, he looks as though he is ready to win a permanent place in the team. The England Under 19 international had a good attitude when I saw him. When in possession he made his passes early and accurately, never attempting the more difficult pass. He just kept the ball moving as part of a cohesive unit. In time, he may begin to look for the more incisive pass. He is well built and has a nice running style and I was particularly impressed with his work when he lost possession. More importantly, when one of his colleagues gave the ball away he showed good responsibility by getting back goal-side quickly, picking up his man and making it difficult for them. When he did play a shorter pass, he was always looking for the return ball. As Ipswich pushed forward, he twice got to the edge of the box to hit firm right-footed efforts, with one diverted for a corner. Aged 19, he looks to have a good future in the

game. WHAT DOES HE NEED? He did not show a real change of pace but he had a sense of anticipation and was always aware of his next move. It was noticeable that when Ipswich had a corner, he was directed to be the cover on the halfway line while his centre backs went up to attack the ball. This showed me that, while he has the trust of the manager to handle a developing counterattack, he may not be one of Hurst’s most effective players in the air. To summarise, Ipswich have an intelligent team player and an important link man in midfield. He will only improve with more chances to perform in league games in the Championship.