Hiwula is waiting for a chance - and it’s time he got it
Jackett’s reluctance to use ex-Coventry man is puzzling
HOW goals can mould public perception of a footballer.
A stunning strike against King’s Lynn, a double for the second string at Cheltenham – suddenly Jordy Hiwula’s new deal is paraded by some as great business.
Those applauding have a good point, of course. It represents excellent news that the 26-year-old is remaining until the season’s end.
The Blues have retained a talented player who completes the three-man striking pool and offers attributes entirely different to his first-team rivals.
However, Hiwula’s contribution to Pompey’s promotion push has been minimal. To be precise, 10 minutes.
It’s a curious lack of activity and something of a bewildering injustice. Still, it has probably enhanced his reputation if anything.
As it stands, Hiwula’s Pompey regard is constructed upon a goal against a nonleague side and a Papa John’s Trophy display.
Certainly there is little evidence to warrant his selection ahead of either John Marquis or Ellis Harrison in a team currently positioned third in League One.
Both deserve their selection for goals – and quality of perfor mances – so far in a campaign which has seen the Blues top the table at Christmas.
Still, Kenny Jackett’s reticence to employ the for mer Coventry man from the bench in league fixtures is puzzling.
The Blues boss does not subscribe to plentiful substitutions, even with options nowadays swelled to five.
It’s a managerial quirk of somebody who, regardless, knows enough about the game to oversee more than 100 victories as Fratton Park boss.
Nonetheless, in terms of League One, Hiwula was handed six minutes in defeat against Charlton and four minutes in a handsome triumph over Crewe.
Incidentally, he has never represented Pompey away from home in either league or FA Cup.
It’s a harsh statistic, particularly during a period when both Marquis and Harrison were off for m and struggling for goals amid a team winning.
Marquis’ last goal was against Crewe on November 21 – seven games ago.
Granted, there was a sublime assist for Ryan Williams’ first at Ipswich, yet scoring is his primary strength rather than creativity.
starting s for the Harrison, season so after positively, his perfor mances have dipped substantially since retur ning from a hamstring tear.
Lack of starting opportunities must have had an impact. All the same, he has netted once from open play this season – September 26 against Wigan.
Such factors can bring into play a third striker. Except Hiwula has failed to feature in the last six league fixtures.
When Pompey were uncharacteristically lacklustre at Blackpool, he remained on the bench. Even Cam Pring was pushed onto the left wing ahead of him.
With six games in an exhausting opening 18 days of December, Hiwula’s sole outing was at Cheltenham in the Papa John’s Trophy. No time off for tiring firstteamers.
In fact, he has been an ever-present in Pompey’s squad for the last 16 matches, serving as an unused substitute in 11 of them.
Yesterday Hiwula signed a new Pompey contract, despite reported Swindon interest, to take him to the season’s end.
He’ll be hoping for an upsurge in appearances during the second half of the campaign. As reward for his remarkable patience alone, he certainly deserves it.