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.

Photo: Action Images

trackerlad added 06:58 - Aug 11 Genuinely thought tabby played very well in the 2nd half. First half I wasn't convinced, but he put himself about and made some decent tackles in the 2nd. Was pleased with his controbution
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trackerlad added 06:59 - Aug 11 Genuinely thought tabby played very well in the 2nd half. First half I wasn't convinced, but he put himself about and made some decent tackles in the 2nd. Was pleased with his contribution
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Cattee11 added 07:01 - Aug 11 Love the fact that Mick addresses the supporters who think they know more about the team than him.
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Len_Brennan added 07:36 - Aug 11 "and the more people shout for them, the less chance they have of going on" - I hope Mick was just frustrated with getting the same question when he said this. Picking who he thinks is the best option is fair enough, whether we agree with him or not, but the thought that he might actively leave out the best option, just because fans had called for his inclusion, would be very concerning. In general I like Mick's no nonsense style, but bloody-mindedness is not a quality I'd want to see in the manager of the club I support.

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TractorCam added 07:47 - Aug 11 Can you encourage Skuse as well please?
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RaymondovicBlue added 08:35 - Aug 11 Genuinely impressed with the midfield four. ... and the other 7 players!!! Gerken came for the ball more in this game than the whole of last season put together and we had a solid back four once Mings got up to the pace. Great to see Hewitt playing so well and also the top two. I thing mm picked the best team for that game and i honestly thought we'd lose before ok. Yes Mick has favourites but he has also singed the men he didn't play. ..... He WILL play An do when fit but I'd like to see him as a sub as with Hemshall... starting solid with Hewitt and Jay Tab (if he can play this well all year!!) A word of caution though .... We were two nil up before the changes. ... surely AT LEAST ONE OF Hyam or Skuse NEEDS to be on the pitch and running?!?

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RaymondovicBlue added 08:36 - Aug 11 "Before ok" ..... before KO!!!
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tractorkent added 09:08 - Aug 11 i must admit i like what MM has done for team spirit and the teams work rate,i just wish we could get a playmaker, although Luke Hyam is coming on leaps and bounds.
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Nthsuffolkblue added 09:23 - Aug 11 Len Brennan - I think the point MM is making is that a section of fans call for certain players because they do not rate some that are in the team. If MM then makes that call it can destroy the confidence of those he has faith in. If the fans get behind the team and support those who are playing he is more likely to feel able to make that call without the risk of destroying a player's confidence. MM (as a top manager) recognises the importance of confidence in a player's performance. It's about time some sections of fans listened to this line of thinking and backed the players MM is backing (and getting results with).

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TractorBoy666 added 09:44 - Aug 11 I thought Hyam had his best game in an Ipswich shirt on Saturday. He made great superb forward runs and for once he kept the moaners behind me quiet! But that's me down and out of the prediction league already, I put a 3-1 win to Fulham as we lost 3-1 to two relegated teams last season. All the better though to jinx it and for us to bag three points, COYB!
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Len_Brennan added 09:54 - Aug 11 Nthsuffolkblue: I agree with what you are saying for the most part. The thing is we have all come on messageboards & forums to express our views and sometimes we'll be right & sometimes we'll be wrong and MIck is possibly referring to us on TWTD as much as anyone in his comments above. Many of us feel that we are limited in the central/attacking midfield area; that does not mean that we think Hyam & Skuse are absolute rubbish and should be sold, we jut want an alternative option which would give us a more positive style of play. Unfortunately Bru does not strike me as a player who will add anything to our squad - of course it's very early days for him & I will support him when in the team; it's just my initial assessment. What Mick appears to be saying though, is that he would be less inclined to make changes in that midfield the more the media and the likes of me & my ilk on messageboards suggest it, regardless of whether it is the right thing to do or not. I'm not looking to destroy any player's confidence - notwithstanding my views on Bru above - but surely we can be allowed express our thoughts on players & team selections, as long as we are being fair & reasonable in how we say it? I will always get behind the team and want what is best for the club.

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strikalite added 09:59 - Aug 11 Hyam and Skuse are both holding midfielders and just aren't natural at making those timed runs and finishing imo, think we're trying accommodate and with the players we have it's understandable... I'm just wondering whether Mings could be that pouncing midfielder at some point? He reminds of Carlton Palmer with his big strides and could see him being able to cover the ground..

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Lightningboy added 10:15 - Aug 11 Thought Hyam was fantastic saturday..ok,maybe we do lack a midfielder who can hold the ball and spray the passes around (like Scott Parker) but Hyam makes up for that with his energy..he does need to rein in some of his challenges though as it's only a matter of time til he'll get a red for one. Never been Skuse's biggest fan but I guess he's one of those players that you miss when he isn't there,as proved saturday when he went off. Really hope Mick keeps Hewitt in the team too and doesn't start playing "favourites" once again with "Ando"..Hewitt had a point to prove saturday,he was immense.

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HarryfromBath added 10:17 - Aug 11 Mick was spot on to play two containing wide midfielders in Tabb and Hewitt. Fulham had two destructive full-backs, especially Stafylidis, and Tabb was in his element in the congested midfield with the diamond. It is wonderful deconstructing Mick's football thinking. He will often choose individuals or play them in certain positions to nullify a threat, Fulham created so little real danger for all of their technique and possession.

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Jimmy86 added 10:38 - Aug 11 Bearing in mind ive often been one of hyam's biggest critics I thought he was outstanding on saturday and he looked a completely different player, much more forward thinking and pro active when he had the ball, no easy option sideways or backward passes and his ball for murphy's goal was spot on. If Mick has had a word with him then its clearly worked. Good stuff and great to see

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essextractorboy93 added 11:09 - Aug 11 Hyam was one of the best players on Saturday. Especially second half when him and Skuse stopped Parker having so much time on the ball. Every year he is getting better and having an experienced championship player like Skuse playing next to him will help. Nobody had a bad game on Saturday.
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tractorboybig added 11:15 - Aug 11 You play the player who does the job best,you want done. Does that make them a favourite,or just the best option?
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miltonsnephew added 11:24 - Aug 11 Would love to see us sign Jamie o'hara from wolves, currently available on a free transfer. Wolves want him gone. Would be a great addition great age and on a free.
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Bobby_Petta added 15:07 - Aug 11 Ok the system worked saturday as we got the result but in the first half we hardly touch the ball, if Fulham have had been better in attack and not So poor at the back, could have easlier been different result. If only we had scott Parker in are team! He was running the show. If this is the system we play all season at home could be long season! To be fair to Mick he has brought in wingers, So it was case of injures etc, I hope! Sorry i fail to see What Tabb offers, In the first half did he touch the ball? We still need playmaker, Owen Garvern would do a job. Hyam was really postive and tried to make something happen which was good to see.

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TimmyH added 16:13 - Aug 11 Hyam my MOM on saturday...far more direct and decisive in what he did. Keep it up!
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muccletonjoe added 18:41 - Aug 11 Hyam has been improving year on year and now is very close to being a first class midfielder , something which I always had faith the lad was capable of , he is a tough energetic player who is now adding an attacking aspect to his game. very happy he is a town player.
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tractorkent added 19:47 - Aug 11 I thought Hyam had a good game Saturday, i'm still not sure about Skuse and Hyam together in the middle though. I saw kevin Bru agaisnt gillingham and with some coaching might be the answer. Who would MM drop though?, I think we know the sort of player MM likes and it's not flair/creative central midfield players.
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Mcgoldrick141 added 21:09 - Aug 11 Him tabb and murph were outstanding
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jas0999 added 21:41 - Aug 11 Other than McGoldrick, thought Hyam was our best player on Saturday. Followed by Murphy, who gave his all as usual and produced two moments of quality. Hyam though had more of an impact throughout.
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gunnerblue added 22:43 - Aug 11 We would all love to see creative midfielders with flair.....like Jimmy Bullard.....reality check time! We need good honest solid players that operate as a team and that stand half a chance of competing in the Championship. That's what we hopefully have got...get used to it and get behind it. Together we just might pull it off. Divided we wont!
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