Luke Hyam has praised boss Mick McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor for believing in him and rescuing his Town career.
The academy graduate has admitted he was close to being shown the door at Portman Road after ex-manager Paul Jewell told him he would be released at the end of last season.
After five months in the shadows, a first-team recall resulted in a change of heart by Jewell, in the shape of a brand new two-year contract, but it is only since McCarthy took charge in November that the Ipswich-born midfielder has re-established himself.
Hyam said: "Mick and Terry have really shown their faith in me. They have given me more games and when I have played they have given me licence to get forward. I’ve been more involved on the attacking side, getting more shots in and they have given me the confidence to do that.
"I enjoy that side of the game. I’d been a bit pigeon-holed in the past as being a holding midfielder. The previous manager didn’t want me to get forward but I feel that I can get up and down the pitch and I’ve really been enjoying it since the gaffer and TC came in.
"It was a bit annoying under Paul but you have to get on with it and do a job for the team. If the manager wanted me to sit in front of the back four I was happy to do it. If he had wanted me to play right-back or even in goal I’d have been happy to do it because the main thing is that you’re in the team.
"But things are a lot different with Mick in charge. I’m really enjoying my football at the moment and hopefully it shows when I’m out on the pitch.
"I love it when the fans chant my name because I am living the dream. I used to watch the team when I was a boy and I never thought this would happen.”
Hyam was a Portman Road regular as a supporter and, like many young fans, set his heart on playing for his hometown club.
He added: "It’s such a good feeling to walk out of the tunnel at Portman Road. I used to watch the team pretty regularly. I looked up to guys like Matt Holland and David Johnson then Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi.
"It’s an incredible feeling to think that I’m now playing for Ipswich. Matt was a midfielder and he had a great career. If I could emulate him I would be more than happy but at the moment it’s all about continuing to work on my game and make sure I keep improving.”