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Downes: Headbutt Won't Happen Again
Sunday, 11th Aug 2019 21:23

Midfielder Flynn Downes insists there’ll be no repeat of his pre-season red card at Cambridge.

The 20-year-old had been one of Town’s best players in the 0-0 draw at the Abbey Stadium but was dismissed in the 86th minute after reacting to a reckless Paul Lewis challenge and headbutting the midfielder.

“Cambridge was a bad day for me, a bad day at the office,” Downes admitted.

“I know I shouldn’t have done that and it’s something I think I’ve worked on a lot since I was younger. I’ve got better at it I think but that was a real blip.

“I assure you it won’t happen again. It was stupid from me but — and this isn’t an excuse because I know I did wrong — I think seeing Tris [Nydam, who broke his ankle at Notts County] the week before have his leg facing the other way really hit me. It hit me hard.

“It felt like he was trying to break my leg but I took it the long way. My head was all over the gaff because I knew I’d done wrong but I can assure you it won’t happen again.

“I’ve got to make the gaffer sure he can trust me and that I won’t do stuff like that on the big pitch. I’m working on it.

“That’s my game and sometimes I do play on the edge so sometimes I can get a bit hot-headed.

“It’s a contact sport and obviously I know I can’t headbutt people but it might get a bit heated. I can’t take that away from my game but I can learn to control it.”

He added: “It’s in my head now after the Cambridge game. Sometimes you need something to happen to make it really click. It’s not happening again.”

Fortunately, the red card led to no further action by the FA and Downes has played the full 90 minutes of both Town’s games so far this season and he hopes to be involved again against his former loan club Luton in the Carabao Cup at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday, although manager Paul Lambert has said he plans to make changes.

“Of course I want to play again, especially at Luton,” said the Brentwood-born midfielder, who made seven starts and three sub appearances for the now-Championship Hatters in the second half of 2017/18 as the Bedfordshire club won promotion from League Two.

“They were good to me when I was there and I want to play. A lot of the same boys are there and I still speak to most of them. I had some big memories there and it was absolutely massive for me.

“I don’t think my mind was in the best of situations at that time so I think I needed a little change.

“Mick McCarthy knew what was right for me and I needed a little change and it really helped me start enjoying my football again.”


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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 21:35 - Aug 11
Good lad . Needs to keep his aggression , but under check .
13

BlueMachines added 21:38 - Aug 11
Great to read. One of best players in the first 2 games. A key player this season for us I think.
10

Suffolkboy added 22:58 - Aug 11
Enormous potential ,and we shall delight in his progress : like many we're certain the early potential can become reality and if it does then frankly we'd be lucky to hang on to this young man.
COYB
6

Dolphinblue added 07:34 - Aug 12
Seems of all our youngsters, Bishop, Dozzell etc, unexpectantly this guy is turning to be the best not just on form but attitude and robustness, keep going chap 👍
7

ITFCsince73 added 08:48 - Aug 12
Have Luton to thank for the work done with him so far.
No wonder they thought so highly of him.
Already one of the better midfield players in L1.
5

PortmanTerrorist added 12:13 - Aug 12
Shame Dozza resisted going out on loan some time ago, things could have been so different for him. As it is, Flynn has been our star man, not just these past 2 games, but at back end of last season too, and looks the real deal.....not for the future, but for right now.

We need a couple of other youngsters to grasp the opportunity like Flynn and Woolfy (who also thrived on loan) if we serious about promotion with our transfer strategy as it is.
1

londontractorboy57 added 15:23 - Aug 12
Mick McCarthy knew what was right for me and I needed a little change and it really helped me start enjoying my football again.”
-1

SamWhiteUK added 15:54 - Aug 12
londontractorboy - he sure wasn't going to enjoy it under MM!
1

yun added 16:38 - Aug 12
Fewer headbutts. More Garbutts!
2

Ipswichbusiness added 18:06 - Aug 12
He's a young man learning his trade. He made a mistake. He has acknowledged that, is determined to learn from it and not repeat it.

Impressive. With luck, he could be a very good player.
1


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