Luke Hyam wins a header against Blackburn on Saturday
Luking good – Paul Jewell pleased with Hyam’s progress
By STUART WATSON
Monday, August 20, 2012
6:15 AM
IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell is happy to give Luke Hyam an extended run in the side after the youngster caught the eye in a satisfying 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on the opening day of the new Championship season.
One of six players aged 22 or younger that started for the Blues on Saturday, the central midfielder was not overawed by his battle with the experienced duo of Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu and had a big hand in Town’s fully-deserved late equaliser.
The 20-year-old former Northgate High School pupil started just seven league games in Jewell’s first full campaign in charge, but now looks set for some increased game time following the summer departures of experienced trio Grant Leadbitter, Lee Bowyer and Jimmy Bullard.
“Luke’s always been a great professional that’s hungry to play, he just hasn’t really had an opportunity if I’m being honest,” said Jewell, after Jason Lowe’s own goal eight minutes from time cancelled out Colin Kazim-Richards’ first half opener for the surprisingly defence-focused visitors.
“He’s just got to have a bit more confidence in himself, which will develop.
“It was a good ball in for the goal and we want to see more of that from him. You have to be careful not to pigeon-hole players too much at an early age.
“Nowadays you have all these fancy systems with a holding midfielder and attacking midfielder, but when I was growing up you had to attack and defend.
“He’s not going to get loads of goals, but I think he’s got a lot more in his locker than he’s been given credit for in the past.”
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7 comments
Mick Mills described him on Saturday as the best midfield player on the pitch, high praise indeed. It was always obvious that this young man has got great potential and no one could understand why he was only given a 1 year extension? Extend that contract asap, or loose him to Spurs.
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NB
Monday, August 20, 2012
agree 100% with sterio plus give him a new long term contract
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david peters
Monday, August 20, 2012
The only thing he lacks 'is a bit of confidence' - which of course has nothing to do with the fact that when he was playing well last season he was dropped for no apparent reason - never got another chance & was only offered a derisory one year contract ???????????????????? And all this reported by a newspaper who are clearly pleased with a feeble pun in the headline that I think even the Sun would shrink from ??
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Old Timer
Monday, August 20, 2012
By 'fancy systems' does PJ mean like his famous diamond formation which failed miserably after other more adept managers 'sussed' his woeful tactics? If Luke Hyam can offer so much, then extend his contract before he walks away for nothing .
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Brian Betts
Monday, August 20, 2012
Hyam was looking good last season - in fact he saved PJ's job. He was rewarded by being dropped by PJ after one indifferent performance. Great man management by PJ. Clearly, at the time, PJ prefered a 37 year old who would be leaving the club above Hyam. Dreadful.
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Jason
Monday, August 20, 2012
I have always passionately believed that this lad had the potential to be miles better than bowyer , leadbitter or bullard , the fact that this lad played everyone off the park on saturday does not reflect very well on Paul Jewell , who should have played him regularly last season in place of the expensive has beens , but at least he cant drop him now.
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KEVIN FRANCIS
Monday, August 20, 2012
(We have to be carefull not to pigeon hole players at an early stage) quote Paul Jewell Well you are definitely pigeon holed along with clue-less Clegg as you both haven't bought in those players that you say we need for this season .... Go on prove me wrong........................
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david bradley
Monday, August 20, 2012