After Southampton had been relegated from the top flight after finishing 20th in the league on just 25 points, captain James Ward-Prowse - a one-club man - was allowed to depart Southampton to West Ham which left a big role to fill for Saints' upcoming season. 

Flynn Downes was brought in by Russell Martin to fill the void that the Saints would have been missing by the departure of their skipper and ever since then, the supporters in the stands at St Mary's have fallen in love with the midfielder.

Downes had played under Martin before after being on loan at Swansea during the 2021-22 season and the duo were reconnected again to help Southampton's bid for promotion back to the promised land of the Premier League. 

The Englishman has helped Saints go on their record breaking 25 match unbeaten run earlier this season, and has now aided them in confirming their place for the play-offs. 

  • A private chef needed?

Although the season has obviously had its highs for Downes, the highs always come with the lows. The midfielder has had to miss a number of games during the season due to food poisoning and injuries.

Some Saints fans were asking for a private chef for Downes for the play-offs so he doesn't get to miss out to another food poisoning bug!

Downes' presence is clear, when he misses games you can see the role he fills for the side and how they miss him when he isn't in the starting eleven.

Southampton with Flynn Downes starting:

  • 68.8% win rate
  • 2.20 goals per game
  • 1.18 goals conceded per game

Southampton without Flynn Downes starting:

  • 30.8% win rate
  • 1.29 goals per game
  • 1.73 goals conceded per game. 

  • A history maker

Downes scored in the record-breaking win away to Swansea back in January which saw Saints beat the Swans away from home which set a new club record of 21 games unbeaten.

One game that Downes missed, due to injury, at the end of that run was a loss at Ashton Gate against Bristol City which saw the Saints lose their first game in 25 games.

However, his goals have been crucial. The loanee scored the winner against Watford at St Mary's in the 99th minute to keep Saints' automatics promotion bid alive. With games in hands over other teams and the teams above them losing, Downes' winner gave the home fans reinstated faith, which he may or may not have scored with his hand.

The Saints then went on to win 3-0 at home against Preston but Downes came off with a knock and Saints then went on to lose the next three of their games with Downes being unavailable, damaging their automatics bid which would eventually turn out to not be fruitful.

  • A key role in the Play Offs

With Downes in the squad, he fills the hole attackers want to run through and sweeps up after the defence if needed to. The number six role he plays in is so crucial in making sure Saints keep control of matches. 

Flynn Downes came back into the starting eleven as they visited Leeds today and was a constant presence on the field: pressing up front, cleaning out from the back, and was therefore praised by the away fans non-stop. 

This season, Downes has played 33 matches for the Saints and has scored two goals and assisted two - he will no doubt be hoping to add to this with the potential of three more games.

Southampton will want to keep their whole squad fit and ticking over for the playoffs but there is no doubt a special eye will be kept on Downes with his influence on the side.

They say to never fall in love with a loan player, but that saying may be too late for Saints fans.