Flynn Downes: Southampton midfielder 'wound up' after being booed at Ipswich Town

Southampton have eight league games left in the season before their play-off campaign will likely begin

Southampton's Flynn Downes was left "wound up" after being booed by Ipswich Town supporters.

The midfielder made 99 appearances for the Tractor Boys and was booed upon his return to Portman Road in Southampton's 3-2 defeat on Monday.

"The fans have absolutely no idea," Downes told BBC Radio Solent.

"The manager didn't want me at the time I left, he put me with the under 23's team, what did they want me to do?"

At the time that Downes was sold by Ipswich, now Chesterfield and former Portsmouth boss Paul Cook was in charge of the club.

Some supporters were seemingly still not happy with the way that the 25-year-old left Ipswich Town and took it upon themselves to share their distaste for the former player when he was on the ball, which was noticed by Downes.

The Southampton man - on loan from West Ham - came up through Ipswich's academy before making a permanent move to Swansea to play under Russell Martin in 2021.

"It does wind me up a little bit, the fans don't know the full story of what happened at Ipswich," Downes added.

"They got sell on fees after I left and money for my sale, it is what it is though, fans are fans."

Later in his career, Downes then joined his boyhood club West Ham in a deal around £9m before going out on loan to Southampton to reunite with Russell Martin at the start of this current campaign.

He has played a crucial role in Saints' midfield this season, making 28 appearances in all competitions, one goal and two assists for his efforts.

Martin's side currently sit fourth in the division with the route of the play-offs now looking the more likely of pathways as their aim to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Saints have eight league games left in the season before their play-off campaign would likely begin.

Their automatic promotion hopes took a blow on Monday with the defeat to Ipswich as they conceded a 97th minute winner courtesy of Jeremy Sarmiento.

"I find it hard to get over tough results," Downes said.

"I'm still recovering to be honest, it takes me a good few days mentally to put it to bed."

Southampton are next in action on Saturday when they face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

A trip to Leicester City and home match against promotion rivals Coventry remain before travelling to Leeds United for their final scheduled league match of the season.