Jake Doyle-Hayes says he enjoyed his recent run of game time for United but hopes to add further consistency to his performances in the centre of the U’s midfield.
The Aston Villa loanee has most certainly taken his chance to display his passing ability, having made consecutive appearances in the last three Sky Bet League Two fixtures for Colin Calderwood’s side. However, the 20-year old knows he must continue to do so on a consistent basis in order to progress his own personal development during his time at the Abbey.
Doyle-Hayes said: “I hope I’ve shown what I’m about over the last two games, but I have to find that consistency. It’s important I don’t just turn up for two games, I have to perform at a good level week in, week out.
“I was happy to get on against Colchester. Since I came to the club I have picked up a couple of knocks here and there that have kept me out of games, so I knew I would have to wait for my chance.
“Obviously you don’t want to see anyone pick up injuries but it did give me an opportunity to get into the team. I felt I did ok against Colchester, although the last minute goal was difficult to take on that day but I thought I had given myself a good chance of starting at Bury.
“I needed to prove myself that I could play when I got that opportunity and thought that I did that against Bury. The way we went out and controlled the play suited me having the ball on the floor and passing the ball, that’s what I want to do.”
Doyle-Hayes says he’s received positive feedback from his coaches at Aston Villa on the back of his displays for United, whilst admitting it’s also been a positive learning curve to have come up against some familiar faces and team mates from his parent club in a competitive arena.
“There have been people coming to watch me from Aston Villa in my games for Cambridge United. I think they have been happy with the way I am playing.
“With Rushian (Hepburn-Murphy) here and a few other players out at Port Vale (Mitch Clark) and Carlisle (Callum O’Hare), when we play those teams it works out well for the coaches from Villa to come and watch us all in that particular game.”
He continued: “It’s been good to play against the other lads as well because usually you train with these players every day at Villa so you know they are obviously good players. But it’s good to go up against your mates, and we can compare notes a little bit.
“It’s obviously totally different for me and Rushian coming on loan to somewhere like Cambridge to the other lads who are living in like Carlisle or other places at the moment. You can compare the image and experiences that we are going through at different places.
“Different clubs have different styles. Some teams might be more direct, others might like to pass the ball so it’s good to gain that understanding of different ways of playing from each other.”
Tickets for tomorrow’s fixture with Newport County are still available online here.