Luke Hyam, a recent target for of criticism from some Town supporters, has admitted to being dissatisfied with his form at some stages of the season.

It was in last month’s 1-1 home draw with Watford that a section of the Portman Road crowd turned on Hyam with a chorus of boos that drew an angry response from manager Mick McCarthy when he talked about it afterwards.

Since then, Hyam has revealed, the pair have had a session in front of the television, reviewing replays of incidents in that game, which he believes has had a positive effect on subsequent performances.

He said: “I haven’t been pleased with my form but I feel that in the last two games it has picked up and hopefully I can carry that on now. I think I’ve been more positive going forward and driving forward, with a lot more forward passes.

“I’ve spoken to both the manager and TC and hopefully I can pick up at Millwall on Saturday where I left off in the last two games. I want to improve myself.

“The manager brought me into his office last week and we looked at the game (at home to Watford) for about 10 or 15 minutes. He said what he wanted from me and hopefully it was obvious from the games on Saturday and Tuesday that I can improve.

“We sat and watched the DVD together, looked at what I had done wrong and what I should have done. I took it all on board and agreed with him. I think it benefited me and hopefully that was evident from my displays in the last two games when I like to think I was a lot more positive.”

Since that chat, McCarthy has been pleased with Hyam's displays: “I thought Luke was excellent against QPR, he played a bit further forward.

"He’s a young fella and he was always asked to be a defensive midfield player before I came — be the sitter, win the ball, tackle, give it to somebody else.

“We’ve asked him to be a bit more offensive, to play forward quicker and he’s trying his damnedest to do it. And at Preston I thought he played well.”

Photo: Action Images

footyblue added 06:19 - Jan 17 good to hear then I think he does a lot of work that goes unnoticed
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StanwayBlue added 06:46 - Jan 17 Mick has taken a team to the World Cup and got sides promoted to the premiership but what does he know compared those who like to find a scapegoat?
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Coco added 07:27 - Jan 17 Iron like a lion Luke Hyam
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Popeye added 08:27 - Jan 17 "He's a young fella and he was always asked to be a defensive midfield player before I came — be the sitter, win the ball, tackle, give it to somebody else." I assume it was a certain Mr Keane who advised him to do that!
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agc232 added 08:43 - Jan 17 Hyam against QPR was brilliant! Watford was a blip and he wasnt up to speed! Thats in the past, we move on! His performance against Milwall on Saturday is what im thinking about now!
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hampstead_blue added 09:25 - Jan 17 Great management. Getting more from a young player can be tricky but both Hyam and MM seem to be well grounded. Let's hope he can develop further.
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Surco72 added 09:43 - Jan 17 So MM is asking a naturally defensive midfielder to do more attacking and a naturally wide attacking winger in Anderson to tuck in more centrally and defend more and wonders why we have so few goals from midfield . If you want Skuse as the holding player get someone more attacking and creative alongside him then Hyam wouldn't bare the brunt of frustrated fans because he playing out of his comfort zone

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Alwaysablue added 09:55 - Jan 17 I wouldn't say Watford was a 'blip' he's been poor all season thus far, apart from QPR where he played well, has my support but he certainly hasn't been good this season.
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Jimmy86 added 10:14 - Jan 17 It's good that mccarthy is putting time and effort into helping luke improve. The frustration with him is that when he recieves the ball his immediate response is to pass the ball sideways, or at times actually check, turn and then pass the ball backwards when their are forward or more penetrating passes on. Yes keep possesion of the ball, but look to do something with it.

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Jimmy86 added 10:40 - Jan 17 Popeye, he was asked to that by both keane and jewell and i think generally they have got that right. He is clearly struggling being asked to play a more attacking role and maybe mick see's something in luke that we clearly dont. To me hyam was more effective as the sitting, holding midfielder. Worked well alongside a more attacking player such as drury or luongo
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essextractorboy93 added 11:06 - Jan 17 Everyone wants Hyam to play well and he has improved in the last couple of games. Looking forward to see him up against Millwall tomorrow. I think that McCarthy is showing excellent management here like he did with Anderson by publicly praising the player. It will boost their confidence, no point slating players in public. COYB!
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JewellintheTown added 13:23 - Jan 17 Maybe Hyam thinks he's a defensive midfielder because he's never been given the confidence to move forward? Booing from the fans wont help, but Mick seems to be saying the right things to change that.
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Cloddyseedbed added 16:11 - Jan 17 It was obvious to see Luke was playing facing the opposition goal for most of the time against QPR and his game improved because of it. I still would not rate his game as brilliant, but an improvement over his recent games. I still expect more from him though and I think Mick does too and I'm sure will help him to be more positive in his contribution.
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blueboy1981 added 21:58 - Jan 17 Mick Mills had the right suggestion - he should be banned from passing the ball backwards for a whole week in training. Get your compass bearing right Luke and you'll be fine - just remember when you receive the ball that the object is to SCORE or at least ASSIST - and that means FORWARD ..........
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