He was a good signing and, in terms of Pompey, has been a good player.
But boss admits striker was ‘close’ to earning new deal
KENNY JACKETT admitted Oli Hawkins came ‘close’ to being offered a deal to remain at Fratton Park.
Instead the towering striker will be among the Blues’ opposition for tomorrow’s trip to promotion rivals Ipswich.
Hawkins made 96 appearances and scored 18 times for Pompey after being recruited from non-league Dagenham & Redbridge in August 2017.
Most notably, he scored the penalty which claimed the Checkatrade Trophy in front of 85,021 at Wembley.
Yet he was surplus to requirements at last season’s end – before picked up by the Tractor Boys on a free transfer. Jackett said: ‘Oli did very well for us after coming out of non-league and it will be good to see him at the weekend.
‘He was a good signing and, in terms of Pompey, has been a good player. While we do wish him all the best at Ipswich, let’s hope it’s not against us. Oli was an excellent character, a very popular person and always did well when he played for us. We all remember that Wembley win.
‘It was a hard choice – and close – about whether we would keep him.
‘But I had already brought in John Marquis and Ellis Harrison, while we now also have Jordy Hiwula, so went for different options.
‘They are different types of strikers to him, but, similarly, Oli always did well for us and proved himself at League One level.
‘With centreforwards, they are always in demand and it’s such a crucial position that you need to get right.
‘It was close, he was a very consistent player for us, but with Marquis and Harrison – and now Hiwula – they are different types of strikers.’
Hawkins has made 15 appearances since his August arrival at Portman road, scoring once.
However, he has been handed just six League One starts, most recently against Crewe at the end of October.
Paul Lambert’s men won that encounter 1-0 – with Hawkins grabbing the matchwinner.
Although he has subsequently been restricted to substitute duty in league fixtures. Meanwhile, Pompey are League One’s top scorers, finding goals from all areas, including the unlikely figure of Tom Naylor.
Jackett added: ‘We’ve scored plenty of goals in recent months and want that to continue.
‘We are over a third of the season down and through the winter want to see if, across the front line, we can continue creating chances and finishing them if possible.’