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

troyse added 14:23 - Jan 17 yh luke your doing well this year and improving keep it up
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callmeted added 15:56 - Jan 17 nothing to talk about at the press confrences then than to regurgitate a story that MAYBE a handful of supporters 'booed' a move that broke down 17 days ago? . Hyam must know that this is a non story . leave him alone and let him get on with it . zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Fatcatevans added 17:44 - Jan 17 Just stop reporting this. It's beyond boring! Fifeblue what planet are you on? better than Cressy? Or McGoldrick? He's a hard working young player but there's so much room for improvement? And being a local lad who was schooled at Northgate means zilch in the real world of professional football
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troyse added 19:39 - Jan 17 what you on about fatcatevans hyams a good first team player
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thebeat added 20:01 - Jan 17 Calm down troyse while Luke hasnt been our worst player this season he hasnt been our best either.Him and Skuse are too alike and Skuse is the much better player out of the two.Maybe away you can play both but at home Hyam should be benched and we should be more adventurous. Hes not a bad player but hes never gona set the world alight
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