Mick McCarthy admits that he didn’t know too much about Luke Hyam when he joined the club but says Town are lucky to have had such a talented player come through from the academy.

Having first made an impact under Roy Keane’s management, Hyam was less involved during Paul Jewell’s time as boss, but is one of the first names on McCarthy’s teamsheet.

“Luke is a really, good talented player that we’re lucky has come through the system,” the Town boss said. “It’s nice when you’ve got somebody like that who has come through the youths and the academy.

“And from me walking in the door in November, I didn’t know him really. All I knew about him was that we scouted him when we were at Wolves, [scouts] Taff [Ian Evans] had liked him, Dave Bowman [both now at Town] had liked him.

“And I didn’t see it when I came in here, but a few weeks down the line and it was quite evident that he’d got some ability and having got in the team, he’s been an ever-present, hasn’t he? He’s not been out unless he’s been injured. He’s a good player.”

McCarthy says he would have loved Hyam to have taken his late chance against Middlesbrough on Saturday when Daryl Murphy squared the ball as Town broke down the left only for the midfielder to scuff his shot.

The Blues boss says Hyam’s reaction to the miss told a lot about the 21-year-old: “Let me tell you, nobody tracked him back, he’s in there going to put the ball in the net and I didn’t see too many of their midfield players running back with him.

“What you saw from him then was that straight away he was back in and defending. I’d have loved him to have scored because he would have earned it. He’s doing very, very well, Luke.”

Photo: Action Images

Jimmy86 added 06:58 - Sep 19 Hyam is def a mccarthy type player, not very creative or technically gifted but very workman like and a grafter in the engine room, however sadky thats as much as he is im afraid. Skuse and hyam in midfield makesnus harder to beat but there is no creativity and people are wanting luke to become something he isnt, our attacking, creative force in midfield and he is simply not that kind of player, or good enough to be that player as his miss against boro proved. Should have buried it or at least hit the target. Thats the difference between an average player and a good player in my book, he is good at breaking up play and using the simple ball, but skuse xan do that and pass the ball better. Want to see wordsworth alongside skuse but doubt that will happen

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wkj added 07:16 - Sep 19 I like Luke but so far this season have noticed his first touch has been a bit off and his peace has slowed, ib think it's a bit of confidence issues and also possibly still trying to adjust to Micks narrower style of play
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ManningtreeBlue99 added 07:28 - Sep 19 Lukey Hyam he's one of our own! Proud of him that he's made it into the first team. His Lee Martin-esque work ethic is brilliant
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1RWR added 08:42 - Sep 19 Jimmy86 says: Should have buried it or at least hit the target. Thats the difference between an average player and a good player in my book, A bit harsh on the young lad I think! He burried that penalty save from last season in front of the Noth Stand did he not? Remember years ago we had Marlon Harewood on loan & he missed a sitter less than 2 feet from the goal, what I'm saying is; he's young, we all have our 'off days' (ask your missus about bedtime!) Lukey will get better, what he needs is support from the fans not moans & groans & he will deliver. Think positive, granted he didn't play well against Yeovil but let's look forward shall we?

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carsey added 10:08 - Sep 19 I wish people would get off Luke Hyams back. OK he's not a flashy player and he missed a sitter on Tuesday but he does what he is asked to do in the middle and if the strikers are doing their jobs it doesn't matter if he misses chances. I had a gut full of overpaid over rated old has-beens wandering around our mid-field when Jewell was in charge, much better one of our own who cares. Listening to the idiots who ring into Radio Suffolk after each match really pi$$eSS me off. We won - be happy.

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Shopkeeper added 10:56 - Sep 19 There is nothing worse than listening to some of the idiots on Radio suffolk after the match, its bad enough having to listen to Mick Mills. I was hugely disappointed in the booing at half time, we need to get behind the team. We beat Yeovil on Tuesday and played ok. There will always be areas where we can improve on but after Yeovil scored town were easily the better team. Two wins on the bounce is what we were craving for last year and it didnt happen too often. Big Mick is putting his stamp on the place and there is a good balance in the team. The whole squad is so much better now and we are moving away from trying to fit square pegs in round holes. We have options for all the positions throughout team. In my humble opinion the Skuse Hyam partnership is solid but it does lack creativity. I think if we play these two we need real out and out wingers to provide the creativity. Tunnercliffe has done very well but we need someone on the other flank. Carlos is not the answer and Anderson hasnt done too much at the moment. I think we need to get Taylor fully fit and he would be the ideal solution. Other than that the Defence is solid and the partnership between Murphy and McGoldrick could develop into something very good. On Tuesday the two outstanding performers were McGoldrick and Creswell. The championship is a poor league and its just down to consistenacy. Town have the potential this year and if Mick is given a little money in January I can see Town making the playoffs.

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cornishnick added 11:28 - Sep 19 "Lucky" to have Berra, "lucky" to have Tunnercliffe and now "lucky" to have Hyam "Lucky" seems to be one of MM's favourite words at the moment
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Guthrum added 11:37 - Sep 19 Solid in the centre, attacking down the wings - that's the way to do it. And it works, tho the right-side hasn't really clicked yet. I really don't understand this obsession with attacking up the middle at all costs. Costs including weakening the defence and having to force the move past twice as many defenders as down the flanks. It's a recipe for getting bogged down in front of the opposition's packed midfield and back-line. Tho there are plenty of Prem/overseas heroes, there are very few midfielders in this division with the skill to get past four or five players then put the ball in the net, or lay off for the tap-in man, and to do that time after time, every game. We have to work with what we've got (not what Barca or Man U have) and shape our tactics accordingly. It's as bad as the "20 a season striker" ranting. Luke Hyam is good defensively, he works hard and is not afraid to occasionally get forward and have a go. What's not to like?

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KBsSocks added 11:51 - Sep 19 One spit doesn't make a Summer; one shot doesn't make a hatful of goals. It's a numbers game: Rooney misses as many as he scores. He just spits a lot, and makes his own Summer brimful of goals.
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Jimmy86 added 11:52 - Sep 19 Dont mean to be harsh on hyam and yes he he scired the rebound from DJ's saved pen but all im saying is as a professional he should at least have worked the keeper and really he should have scored. He is good at breaking up the play and giving it simple, people are wanting him to attack and create and chip in with goals, this is alien to him unfortunately. Didnt like hearing the boos at half time and also dont partake in radio phone in's to radio suffolk

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spanishblue added 12:15 - Sep 19 Tell me how much did van Persie cost near 30 million how far from an open goal was he sorry I bet he had,nt busted a gut getting there had he hyam does about 10 miles a game the miss was late on where was he a minute later my case rests I find myself becoming a big fan just remember you earn the right to play I look forward to his progress
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Michael11 added 12:15 - Sep 19 I think this is another piece of excellent management from McCarthy. Hyam hasn't been great this season and maybe lacking a little confidence, so hearing this will surely give him a boost.
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PremierBlue added 12:36 - Sep 19 @Guthrum You can be creative and still be defencively solid, there is no law stating otherwise. The creative option in cm is simply about us being less predicatable for the opponent. The better opponents will otherwise close our channels on either side and we are stuck. I believe we need it to kill off many of the games in this division that otherwise may come back to haunt us the last 15 mins of the game. And, it should give us more posession when we need it, taking the edge off the opponents attacking drive.

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muccletonjoe added 13:16 - Sep 19 The Hyam , Skuse partnership has only been in place for a few games , keeping them together is a very wise decision of mm imo. I do not understand ANY town supporter getting on this lads back. If he dosnt play a blinder week in week out it seems its open season for barracking the boy. WHO does play a blinder every game ??? Just give him a chance
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TimmyH added 15:37 - Sep 19 Is it me or is Mick 'bigging up' a lot of the players already this season?, I'll really start getting worried when he starts saying that Nouble is the next John Barnes n waiting. lLuke so far this season has been a bit quiet but I feel has been doing a lot of the necessary stuff in midfield which doesn't get much of a mention.
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strikalite added 16:35 - Sep 19 I'll be honest and how I see it....he's average. But of course in MM's position with no money I'd say the same thing, obviously..
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Simonds92 added 18:15 - Sep 19 Had leadbitter in his pocket against Middlesbrough, won absolutely every 50/50
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jas0999 added 18:35 - Sep 19 I like Hyam and felt he was badly treated by Jewell. However, he is in my opinion too similar to Skuse which although not his fault, is a problem as we lack flair, creativity and goals from the midfield.
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Stato added 21:28 - Sep 19 as cantona once said, every team needs a water carrier
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