Southampton will win Championship this season - Downes

Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes believes his team has a chip on their shoulder and is determined to win the Championship this season. The club was eliminated from last term's play-offs following the Spygate scandal, and head coach Tonda Eckert was charged by the Football Association for bringing the game into disrepute. Despite starting the season with a four-point deduction, Downes insists the group's mentality is focused on victory.

Saint's are currently in Germany for their pre-season training camp, where they have won games against Eintracht Braunschweig and Preussen Munster. The team will play Colchester United in the Carabao Cup on Saturday before facing Watford in their league opener the following weekend. Downes, who has made over 100 appearances for the club since joining on loan from West Ham in 2023, feels he is in the best shape of his career and cites improved football IQ and physical conditioning as reasons for his confidence heading into the new season.