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McCarthy Encouraging Hyam to Look Forward - Ipswich Town News

Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s encouraging midfielder Luke Hyam to be more forward thinking. The 22-year-old created Daryl Murphy’s opening goal in the Blues’ 2-1 home victory over Fulham on Saturday.

"All the time,” McCarthy said when asked if he's tried to get Hyam - who was considered a holding midfielder early in his senior career - to take a more attacking approach.

"I encourage him to get turned and play forward if he can. Like them all, he’s working at it. He wants to improve.”

The Town boss is keen to see his midfielders score more regularly this season with central pair Hyam and Cole Skuse netting one between them during 2013/14, the former academy youngster's strike in the home victory over Blackburn.

Meanwhile, McCarthy made no apologies for not fielding an out and out winger such as Alex Henshall against the Cottagers.

"You know I don’t give a flying one who anybody wants to see in my team, don’t you?” he added.

"And the more people shout for them, the less chance they have of going on, so they should recognise that as well.

"We were playing a team that played a diamond, so it actually suited us not to have Hunty, Ando, Alex Henshall and Cameron Stewart because of the way they played.

"I would have had a difficult decision had they been fit but I would probably have made that decision anyway because they tried to play through the middle of us.

"We didn’t need wingers on the pitch today, both sets of full-backs were the ones getting forward and creating width.”

Elsewhere, on-loan full-back Freddie Veseli made his debut for League One Port Vale as they drew 1-1 at home with Walsall.

The former Swiss U21 international, who Mick McCarthy says has no future with the Blues, is at Vale Park until January.

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