Luke Hyam is determined to win over the Town fans who were on his back last month with his future performances for the club.

Hyam, now 22, was just 18 when given his senior debut by then boss Roy Keane in the opening game of the 2010/11 season, which resulted in a handsome 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

He has now clocked up a total of 73 starts in all competitions, plus a further eight substitute appearances, but accepts he is still not the finished article as a player.

Asked if he felt the fans were right to have a go in the 1-1 home draw with Watford, Hyam replied: “Everyone is entitled to their opinions, even if it’s not nice to have people booing me. But I’ll take it on board and obviously look to win them over.

“It’s not nice getting stick, whoever you are, no matter who is dishing it out and where you work. It’s not nice for someone to get on your back but when you’re a footballer it’s all part and parcel of the job. I can take it and I’m looking to improve.”

The former Northgate High School pupil is the only Ipswich-born player in manager Mick McCarthy’s recognised first-team squad but accepts that is no safeguard from the critics.

He added: “I’m just here to do my best and I’ve always tried to do my best for the fans and the manager, who has shown great faith in me by continuing to play me.

"That makes me want to repay him. I’m still young and I’ve got a lot of improving to do. If I do that I’ll become a better all-round player.

“Any player will tell you what it means for the manager to show faith in you. It’s not just me — every single one of the lads likes him a lot and we really appreciate what it means to have him here.

“He tells me what I need to improve on, which I take on board, but at the same time I know what I bring to the team, like the energy I bring to the midfield that sometimes I don’t think gets fully noticed by people.

"But as long as the manager keeps showing faith in me I’ll be happy and keen to repay him by putting in good performances for Ipswich Town.

Hyam understands that criticism comes with the territory as a footballer but added: “My mum and dad go to most games, even the away games, and it’s not nice for them to hear.

“They’ve been to quite a few games and they are used to it now. They can take it — they have become quite thick-skinned — but some of my mates tell me they have had a pop at some of the fans booing me.

“I have very good friends and family around me and the other players have been good with me. The manager and TC have also been good with me and it’s nice to have good, strong people around me.

“There is more to come from me. I’m still young and I know I’ve still got a lot to learn. I’m not a complete player yet and I just want to keep on improving to be the very best I can.”

Photo: Action Images

mrmorisato added 06:15 - Jan 17 With an improving squad and better players that have been introduced to the 1st team in the last couple of seasons Hyam has found it a bit heavy going. Him and Skuse are similar players in centre midfield and needs another type of player who can add another dimension which will provide competition :) Hyam is still a good young Championship player :)
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muccletonjoe added 07:36 - Jan 17 Why bother luke ? As long as the manager thinks you are doing the job he wants you to do , and you must be because he picks you in the side. Then its job done mate , you can't plase everyone so no point in trying
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TractorCam added 07:43 - Jan 17 I've seen a similar story like this 3 times now in about 2 weeks...
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tractorboyz82 added 08:01 - Jan 17 Muccletonjoe...not like micks spoilt for cm is it hyams a good player but if better was here skuse would get picked with a more attacking cm and hyam would drop to the bench don't agree with booing any player he gives everything to the best of his ability for me I just don't rate him and we need better if we're ever to get out of this league but that's my personal opinion.

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 08:14 - Jan 17 With the performance he put in against QPR (albeit in a loosing cause) I thought he'd already done that but looking at the comments above clearly not. Keep going Luke, you're an improving young and local player who gives 100% every game I've seen you play.
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ericclacton added 08:27 - Jan 17 Win over De tractor boys.
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Bluetaff added 08:35 - Jan 17 For a club with such a rich history of developing young players I do find it frustrating how sections of the fan base can quickly turn on the kids we are developing?
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essexboy added 08:38 - Jan 17 Well said Luke,now prove the knockers wrong and give it your best shot.Dont pass back,instead go for goals,you have the talent.COYB
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TR11BLU added 08:55 - Jan 17 Thought he was excel;lent v QPR and didnt deserve to be on the losing side. Stick with it Luke and ignore the idiots who boo. You have frustrated me at times with your lack of positive play but it will come with confidence, confidence from the encouragement you will get from your 'supporters'...me included.
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thebeat added 09:04 - Jan 17 Oh my God! This again? Wasnt even booed. How many times it was one collective groan when he messed a promising move up.Why are people obsessed with trying to make this an issue? Theres other players who have been far worse than Luke this season ( Anderson,Tabb,Nouble) so why are we singling him out? Let it go nobody booed him, we would have groaned no matter who gave the ball away.

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hampstead_blue added 09:26 - Jan 17 He does need to move on. He is an average player at present so we must temper our expectations.
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cookra added 09:28 - Jan 17 I dont understnad the negativity around Hyam. We all wanted him in the team last year and now we have him people want him out? Ok he should have scored 'that' header but even the very best miss sitters. I bet one or two moaners and groaners on here have too. We all make mistakes, we are all human and we should get off the lads back. He's young, learning his trade and entusiastic. who would you rather see.....Wordsworth? surely not?

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Hugoagogo added 09:36 - Jan 17 TBH it's not like Hyam rung up a few journalists and said "I'd like to talk about the fans booing me AGAIN." He gets asked a question by a journalist and answers it. I am sure he is trying to move on, hampstead_blue, but if everyone keeps asking him about it, what is he supposed to do? Shout "Burma!" or something?
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Stretchyboy added 09:40 - Jan 17 Wow, never knew he was a former pupil of Northgate High School!
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meekreech added 10:03 - Jan 17 thebeat Sorry to disagree with you but where I was sitting people DID boo !!!!!
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Jimmy86 added 10:07 - Jan 17 It's a shame that so much has been made of what happened in the watford game. The journo's have also played their part in keeping this going. Yes lule hyam is one of our own and seemingly he played better against QPR, wasn't there due to work, but take away the local boy aspect, is he really good enough to help us crack on?? Would he get in any top 6 championship team?? I personally dont think so. He is indicitive of the squad we have currently, very much huff and puff, graft and hard work over creativity. Please lets move on

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Surco72 added 10:16 - Jan 17 Naturally defensive midfielder being asked to attack and create , if you want a player to do this MM and you think Skuse is the better defensive player then drop Hyam . He is bearing brunt of fans due to MM's negativity and stopping players natural flair ,Anderson a wide wing man being asked to tuck in a defend , Tabb and Tunnicliffe are not left sided midfielders but have played there numerous times this season . Nouble is not a right winger but is playing there , Chambers is a better centre back but playing out of position at right back . Play players in their natural positions so they are not questioning their ability or position . I for one would never boo a player for being out of position as I never did with Edwards during the Jewell era , th eblame should be directed toward the manager . We are back to MMs win lose draw , I will pick the same team unless I have an injury sometimes we will have a good run ,sometimes bad it will always average itself out , which is what we are average

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thebeat added 10:52 - Jan 17 meekrech not in the SBR Lower where i have my season ticket and lets face it thats where all the hardcore fans are so if they didnt boo thats all that matters to me. Cue a barrage of abuse from people in the blankets and flasks stands........................
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essexboy added 11:12 - Jan 17 YOU should never boo your own players!whatever.
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SouperJim added 11:24 - Jan 17 Jesus wept, why is Hyam STILL being asked to comment on this non-event!? The press have blown the incident out of all proportion and have arguably done more harm to the lad's confidence by persistently reminding him than a few frustrated supporters did FOUR WEEKS ago.
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alfromcol added 11:24 - Jan 17 Advice to Luke. Don't try to justify yourself on public fora, you can't win. Just keep playing to the best of your ability and ignore off stage noises
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Lightningboy added 11:37 - Jan 17 Just go out and give 100% everytime and you won't get any stick from me..that applies to everyone who puts on a town shirt. Maybe Mick could let him off the leash a bit more at home..we need more goals from midfield.
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fifeblue added 12:09 - Jan 17 Luke Hyam has been the best player at the club for 3-4 years. And he is improving all the time.
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TimmyH added 13:17 - Jan 17 Yep give it 100% and don't doubt yourself...He can still turn it around, I felt he probably played better under PJ but still have confidence in him to better his game.
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Karlosfandangal added 13:41 - Jan 17 Funny how you can shout abuse at a player on the pitch, yet if the same people did that at their work place they would be sack as it is unacseptable behavour
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