Former Saints manager Will Still could not hide his frustration with Downes’ absence during his tenure, and he will no doubt be vindicated by the way Downes is currently performing under Eckert.
Southampton’s run of seven matches unbeaten in the Championship has been built largely on robust defending and clean sheets. Downes is integral to that.
Where Downes excels
Downes plays as a defensive midfielder and brings energy and adefensive presence to the team. He racks up tackles and interceptions, demonstrating aggression and a willingness to win the ball back quickly for his side. In the 2025/26 Championship season, he has made tackles, interceptions and recoveries at a solid rate, helping shield the defence and break up opposition play.
Although Downes’ passing completion rate is high, he does not make the kind of passes that unlock defences. He makes a lot of the simple ones that keep Saints ticking. An 87.7% pass success rate demonstrates his reliability when distributing the ball and his control in midfield.
Downes also wins his fair share of aerial duels and shows great strength in challenges, both of which are important in a physically demanding league. His defensive contributions place him in the top 12% of Championship midfielders this season.
He has shown he can be fit enough to play back-to-back games within a week, allowing Eckert to rotate his three key midfielders. That matters in a long campaign because consistency in selection helps the team build rhythm.
The areas where he can improve
But Downes is not flawless. His offensive output is limited: he has scored only once and has no assists despite heavy minutes. That, however, is not his role in the team, and he more than makes up for it with the tackles he makes and the attacks he breaks down.
Downes’ dribbling and ball progression forward are also areas that lag behind because he completes few successful dribbles and can sometimes slow the transition from defence to attack. In a league where fast breaks can decide tight games, that can be a limitation.
His discipline is also a concern, as he has accumulated a notable number of yellow cards. This shows intensity but also recklessness, which could lead to a ban. He currently has nine yellows and needs only one more before he is banned for two matches.
Downes proves Eckert right about commitment
Tonda Eckert has regularly spoken highly about Downes’ energy and commitment. He has also emphasised Downes’ importance to the team. Speaking to the Daily Echo, Eckert has opened up about the need for Downes to be fully fit as Saints close in on the top six.
“He needs a certain energy to then perform the way that he is at the moment. I think he had an unbelievable performance at Leicester.
“Especially since he did not know the day before if he could make the game. He put himself full of painkillers and managed to run 12.7 kilometers.
“It shows the character that he has, and his desire to contribute to our success. I think he’s been excellent in this last period.”
“This will be a very important period for us as a football club, and we need him in full health.”
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