Southampton put in an incredibly dominant performance as they eased part Cardiff City 2-0 at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.
The game against promotion-chasing Cardiff had the potential to be a difficult one, but Adam Armstrong netted a quick-fire double within 15 minutes to ensure the three points.
Russell Martin’s side had 64% possession and kept the ball incredibly well, particularly in the second half, to quell any potential fightback from their opponents.
Gavin Bazunu kept his second clean sheet in a row and was rarely troubled in the Southampton goal, the players ahead of him working hard both in and out of possession to stay in control.
There were a number of excellent performances but one player stood out for Southampton fans, leaving them all to say the same thing.
Southampton fans desperate to sign Flynn Downes permanently
With around 15 minutes left of the contest, Southampton posted on ‘X’ a picture of Flynn Downes with the caption ‘Running the show’ and it is clear to see from the replies what is on the mind of all Saints fans following yet another commanding display.
The message was clear, with one fan responding saying ‘Get on the blower to West Ham for the January sales’ and another with ‘Yes please please buy him, Show him the money’.
If that wasn’t clear another, another emphatically added: ‘PLEASE BUY HIM. MORTGAGE THE CLUB EVEN’.
Another simply responded with ‘Flynniesta’, comparing the 24-year-old to the Spain and Barcelona legend who is renowned for the way he controlled the midfield at ease. This is high praise for the man on loan from West Ham United, but in truth he was a cut above in the win over Cardiff.
Unfortunately for Southampton, Downes’ future is at best uncertain, with West Ham expected to try and keep hold of the ex-Swansea City midfielder for next season.
The Hammers have numerous options in the centre of the park, with ex-Saint James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta all options, but there are fears at West Ham that they may struggle to hit their home-grown quota next season which increases Downes’ importance.
Just how good was Downes in Cardiff win?
Everything Southampton did went through Downes in the win over Cardiff, with the man at the base of the midfield constantly receiving the ball off of the defence and starting the Saints’ attacks.
After arriving at the club with food poisoning it took Downes a while to get back to full fitness, but since then he has been immense. It has become increasingly clear why Martin was so desperate to reunite with the player he managed at Swansea as Downes perfectly demonstrates the style Southampton want to play.
Downes had 112 touches and made 92 passes with a pass completion rate of 94%. Despite his deeper role and tendency to play short passes to keep the Saints moving, he made two key passes and found his man with his only cross of the game.
Southampton fans were clearly in awe of Downes’ showing, with further replies to Southampton’s post on X heralding the performance:
‘He is so good. So bloody good at what he does.’
‘By far our best player again today and has been for weeks now.’
Given West Ham’s anticipated reluctance to sell Downes in the summer, Southampton fans may have to enjoy the midfielder while they can.
That being said, if the Saints manage to secure promotion Downes himself may be tempted to make the move permanent.