The extensive tattoo adorning the left arm of Town midfielder Luke Hyam says it all.

Lavishly illustrated and covering an area from wrist to above his elbow, it carries a simple message — do what you love, fortune will follow — that sums up the homegrown youngster’s self-belief and determination to succeed.

Hyam said: “You could say it’s my motto. I’ve seen the message around but it’s not something that I have copied from another player. It’s meaningful for me.

“It hasn’t always been easy for me at Ipswich but I have stuck at it and now things are definitely on the up. I was named as the club’s most improved player at the awards night and it was a nice little shock for me.

“I must say thank-you to the manager and TC for what they have done for me. Hopefully I’ve repaid them but at the same time I want to achieve a lot more in my career.

“I’ve only scored one goal this season and that’s not good enough. Next season I would like to be pushing on even more, getting more goals, more assists and just generally helping out the team.”

Hyam is confident that several Town colleagues are also going to catch the eye in the 2013/14 campaign, among them ex-Colchester midfielder Anthony Wordsworth and teenage striker Jack Marriott, who made his senior debut at Burnley on Saturday.

He added: “Woody is a top-class player. I see him in training and what he can do with the ball. I think he can only get better and once he gets in the team he will show everyone what he can do.

“Jack trains with us sometimes and you can see the improvement in him. There are other good young players and I’m sure they will push on to the U21s and then the first team.

“In Jack’s case he’s been scoring goals all season and in his situation that’s all he can do to attract the manager’s attention. The manager will only put him in if he thinks he deserves it and if he thinks he is good enough.

“Jack has the temperament to cope. He’s always out on the training ground working on improving his game and he always gives 110 per cent. He also works hard in the gym and everything he does is geared to making him better. He’s also a really good lad and for the effort he puts in he deserves to progress.”

As an academy graduate himself Hyam is delighted with the news that Town will be applying for Category One status, a route that will enable them to cast their net far and wide in an effort to unearth the best young talent out there.

Hyam added: “It’s the best thing the club can do. It’s what Ipswich has always been about, bringing in youngsters and working with them to reach first-team standard.

“It’s a system that can only improve the club. We have the sort of top-class facilities that are among the very best in the Championship and up there with the best in the Premier League as well, which should help to attract the best kids.”

Photo: Action Images

BotesdaleBlue added 09:22 - May 10 Very sensible and mature comments from Hyam, who has had a very good season now that he has been given a consistant run. One point - he now only has one year left on his contract. Hopefully with Mick now in charge, this will be sorted as soon as possible. A three year deal with the option of another year would be a decent reward in my view.
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Dissboyitfc added 09:25 - May 10 category 1 , its the only way in all honesty, i was gutted when the club announced they were applying for category 2. So more exciting youngsters to follow.... coyb
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sparks added 09:46 - May 10 Good attitude- Chopra could learn a lot. Shame about the tattoo though.
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MickMillsTash added 10:05 - May 10 My motto has always been Fat birds and mopeds- fun to ride until your mates see you not had it tattoed on my arm though.
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lojd added 11:56 - May 10 Why would you have a tattoo that could have 2 meanings? I hope he means that fortune as in good luck rather than wealth. His words about Marriott seem encouraging, it's hard not to get excited about having a young goalscorer come through the ranks. Watching his progress reminds me of watching Rhodes, let's hope we give this one a chance or loan rather than sell.
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irishtim added 12:10 - May 10 All t omens look good for next season. Great to have what looks like a unified squad.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 13:07 - May 10 Just out of interest, how do people who have seen both play (I haven't), think Hyam compares with Colback?
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will444 added 13:31 - May 10 what a pussy
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Ebantiass added 15:26 - May 10 a young lad with his head screwed on , a few of the more "senior pros" could learn from this young man. Kinda glad Bullards gone and i hope he focuses on his game and working hard on the things he lacks. Hopefully he will go far with us. An extention on his contract is a must.
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chorltonskylineblue added 22:19 - May 10 Got his head screwed on this lad. Respect to him for knuckling down when he was frozen out and seemingly set to move on. Every time I've seen him he puts in a proper shift and he knows what his weaknesses are and is working on them. His critics need to get off his back and remember he's 21 and still learning. Matt Holland was a legend here, but he was rejected by Arsenal, let go by West Ham, earnt his spurs at Bournemouth and was 23 before he joined us. Give him time, he's improving and could be a mainstay in our midfield.

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