Hawkins: A Pleasure to Sign Here Monday, 17th Aug 2020 14:50 New striker Oli Hawkins says it’s a pleasure to have joined the Blues, a club he believes has similarities with his former side Portsmouth.
The 6ft 5in tall frontman, who was released by Pompey at the end of last season, has signed a two-year deal with an option for a third campaign.
“It's a pleasure to have signed here," Hawkins, 28, told iFollow Ipswich. "I was at Portsmouth last season and that's a big club with an excellent fanbase, it's the same here.
“This is a new start for me and I'm looking forward to getting that buzz back. I still have my best to offer at this level so I want to show that.
“I'm excited and once the football starts I really think I'll enjoy myself here. I'm here to help the club achieve what it wants to."
Despite having played much of his football with Pompey at centre-half last season, Hawkins insists he is first and foremost a striker.
“I’d like to come here as a striker and that would be my main focus," he added.
“In the back of my mind and the back of a lot of people’s heads here maybe I will be an option at centre-half if there was a crisis or there was some reason I had to go back there.
“That’s just a positive for me, being versatile. If it happens, it happens, but the main focus is doing as well here up front, scoring goals, getting assists and just working hard.”
Photo: ITFC
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midastouch added 14:56 - Aug 17
Good luck to him. Sounds like he's got the right attitude. Worth watching his highlights on YouTube, he really does know how to header a ball being 6ft 5"! Not a signing I was over excited about when we were first linked with him but he might be a surprise package, just no telling. Let's give him a chance and see how he does. | | |
CokeIsKey added 14:59 - Aug 17
Shirt looks nice here. | | |
Suffolkboy added 15:03 - Aug 17
CK let's hope it fits ,and is recognised by the rest of ITFC on the pitch ! Do well young man – you're sure to be appreciated . COYB | | |
peteswindon added 15:05 - Aug 17
He has got some neck that lad | | |
Linkboy13 added 15:22 - Aug 17
Funny old game football, he's leaving a club where he failed to hold down a regular place, and joining a club where let's be fair is much bigger. | | |
BlueNomad added 16:02 - Aug 17
A friend of mine is a D & R fan. Says they were sorry to see him go. Apparently he is a leader. | | |
ringwoodblue added 16:08 - Aug 17
We certainly need more height and physical presence as we looked a tad lightweight last season. I reckon he could add something to our team and well needed back up either upfront or in defence. A thumbs up from me. Welcome Oli. | | |
Orraman added 16:11 - Aug 17
Following these three signings I have been studying our squad list and in reality there is a wealth of experience at all levels, there is certainly enough quality for Div 3 if all play to their capabilities, and there is cover for all positions. Yes there will be injuries and temporary loss of form. PL needs to decide on his basic squad of 15 and maintain a first 11 from them - all knowing that there is someone breathing down their neck for their place in the team. Once someone is in the team it is their place to lose to someone else if standards not maintained. So no more chopping and changing unless absolutely necessary (EFL Trophy excepted) and no more international call offs as we have enough cover to avoid the loss of momentum we experienced last season. I know the demands of the game are different from the days of Sir Bobby but remember what he achieved from a pool of 15 players, and although they were different class to what we have now, so were the opposition and this was all done with European adventures as well. I am always optimistic at the start of every season but I feel we have a stronger squad this year so some continuity and those wearing the shirt being pushed from behind will I think see a much more enjoyable season | | |
davidswindlehurst added 16:43 - Aug 17
Hi all, I'm a pompey fan and follow Ipswich since the Adam Webster days, what town are signing here is a great striker, holds the ball up well, brings others into play can score with both feet and is very good in the air, Kenny jacket seems to be losing it and didn't play him for whatever reason as he only played him up top on his own, give him a partner he will flourish, very good at the back and for corners. I'm gutted he has left pompey but glad he has signed for town. All the best in the upcoming season | | |
Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:43 - Aug 17
Welcome Oli. You hopefully bring something that was so very clearly lacking last season up front. Keane just didn't cut it, unfortunately. Agree with Orraman: We ought to have enough to deal with most of the opposition in Div. 3, but let's not make the mistake I think we made last time, which was to think we were a little better than the rest just by virtue of our past. We are in the present now and we are a Div. 3 side. Hopefully, one with a good blend of experience and youth (El Miz and Dobra at least should feature, plus perhaps a couple more). But it will be a fight. COYB! | | |
therein61 added 17:24 - Aug 17
Good luck Oli on joining the Town i'm sure that being versatile will be a great help as you will be needed at the back more than up front unless we get a decent central defender to replace Chambo. | | |
rugbytomc added 18:09 - Aug 17
Adds something different. The something different Keane was supposed to add but just didn't or couldn't. Would love to see Sears flourish playing off him and Jackson too, just gives us a different option off the bench or in certain games | | |
therein61 added 18:34 - Aug 17
Whatever our squad numbers( i agree we have good numbers for each position) we have unfortunately only 9 positions to fill as we have 2 shoe ins who are always selected costing us points. | | |
BlueNomad added 19:39 - Aug 17
therein61 - This thread is about welcoming a new player, not banging on about “two shoe ins.” We all know who you are referring to. Of the two please enlighten us as to what games CS has cost us points? Thanks | | |
blue86 added 20:35 - Aug 17
Good luck big man, I wont just judge you on goals, hold it up, assists, and being a nuisance to opposition defenders will be good. Plus if needs be he can fill in at CB. | | |
coolcat added 21:21 - Aug 17
Welcome to Ipswich, Oli. | | |
heathen66 added 21:24 - Aug 17
Welcome Oli A very good 'alternative' when needed however i fear he will be played to 'compliment' the Chambo hoof !!!. Would still like to see a progressive and mobile CM to compliment Norwood and Jackson and play football. What could be a master plan would be to play Norwood and Jackson off the big front man. Let us go for it rather than trying to otherwise stop the opposition. Could be a great signing...if played and played correctly !!! | | |
KiwiBlue2 added 23:22 - Aug 17
If he turned out as well as Ian I would be well pleased. | | |
KiwiBlue2 added 01:42 - Aug 18
If PL rates him we might see a bit of 4-3-3 this season. He might well be the catalyst for Norwood and Jackson/Sears playing off him. | | |
Razor added 13:54 - Aug 18
I hope the comments of Swindlehurst chher people up----it did me and him and Jacko/Norwood together could be quite good and Ward to Judge on the left may also be interesting------bring it on!! | | |
jonnysuave added 15:00 - Aug 18
Yes. Like this 4-3-3 plan. lankester and Jackson with Hawkins up top. Hopefully Bishop has a decent run this time, him playing with Downes and dare-I-say Skuse should be both solid and creative. Plus a decent bench to push each one.... Looks like time to get a bit ahead of myself before reality kicks in. | | |
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