Joining Ipswich on a season-long loan from Tottenham is paying dividends for Massimo Luongo, who believes he has already improved as a player.
Sydney-born and raised Luongo, who was 20 yesterday, said: "When I first came here the gaffer said ‘Do what you are good at — break up the play and keep it simple’.
"But then I think he realised that I had a lot more in my locker and my game has become more expansive in the short time I have been with Ipswich.
"I think of myself as a deep-lying midfielder but I like to get on the ball and get the team playing. Obviously the defensive part comes naturally and I would say that I am pretty much a box-to-box midfielder.
"I don’t think the gaffer realised I had a bit more about me technically. At Tottenham there are a lot of technical players and I just used to sit deep and let them get on with it.
"Now I take a bit more responsibility. I am always looking to make something happen and see if I can change the game. I am getting a lot more out of being here than just experience.”
He admits that he knew little about the Championship before he came to Town: "I’m a typical TV guy,” he laughed. "Back home in Australia I knew all about the Premiership and I would either stay up late or get up early so I could see the games on television.
"I didn’t know anything about the Championship to be honest and I definitely didn’t realise it was so tough. Every game is a proper battle.”