| Oli Hawkins 19:56 - Aug 13 with 7541 views | The_Romford_Blue |
Watched him a little bit a few years back over at Dagenham.
Was often referred to as Bambi as he looked very awkward when he runs with the ball, almost as if he’s uncomfortable. Did fill in as a makeshift centre back at one point too for a few games. Believe he did the same at Pompey for a little bit too. At Dagenham, he really wasn’t the greatest goal scorer and whilst he was getting in plenty of good positions, he was missing a hatful of a chances each week.
Whilst he’s tall, I personally doubt he’s what we need as a hold up striker. Perhaps a half decent option off the bench.
If there’s one player I could compare him too... the Keiffer Moore that we saw who often ran about like a headless chicken out of his depth. Obviously that was the one that we saw.. before he became good. |  |
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| Oli Hawkins on 09:26 - Aug 14 with 1096 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:12 - Aug 14 by hype313 |
What do you expect? a £5m signing? A PL Loanee on £40k a week? We have a salary cap in place. |
Yes, because it's either that or Hawkins isn't it?
The constant down playing of expectations at this club frustrates me more and more by the week. |  | | |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:28 - Aug 14 with 1084 views | JDB23 |
While I don't mind the signing too much, a 4th choice striker who gives us another option, my concern is where are the goals going to come from?
I believe we scored 25 in 25 in the second half of last season. We have lost our 3rd top goal scorer and Keane (who got 4). Feels to me we are gambling on unproven youth players to add goals from the midfield. | | | |
| 2 of which he started up front..... on 09:28 - Aug 14 with 1081 views | Bloots |
| Oli Hawkins on 00:47 - Aug 14 by BlueBadger |
Played 13 games for Pompey last season. Scored precisely 0 goals. |
....the rest he played at the back or as a late sub.
Just saying. |  |
| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
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| Oli Hawkins on 09:29 - Aug 14 with 1082 views | hype313 |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:26 - Aug 14 by tractorboy1978 |
Yes, because it's either that or Hawkins isn't it?
The constant down playing of expectations at this club frustrates me more and more by the week. |
I think a dose of reality needs to set in for a few on here.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love us to be able to splash the cash and bring some excitement in, but given where we are, the owner, and the salary cap, it ain't gonna happen. |  |
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| Oli Hawkins on 09:31 - Aug 14 with 1075 views | ArnieM |
Romford blue : had to smile at your OP, with the exception of playing on occasions in defence your description of OH could easily be attributed to the much heralded Daryl Murphy ! |  |
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| Oli Hawkins on 09:37 - Aug 14 with 1051 views | PhilTWTD |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:29 - Aug 14 by hype313 |
I think a dose of reality needs to set in for a few on here.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love us to be able to splash the cash and bring some excitement in, but given where we are, the owner, and the salary cap, it ain't gonna happen. |
Add to that no money coming in the door due to the coronavirus as well. Think it was clear from before the salary cap came in that free transfers were going to be where we were going to get any additions. And this year it's an awfully big market with lots of out-of-contract players released who might otherwise not have been as clubs have looked to cut costs. |  | | |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:40 - Aug 14 with 1035 views | Parky |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:29 - Aug 14 by hype313 |
I think a dose of reality needs to set in for a few on here.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love us to be able to splash the cash and bring some excitement in, but given where we are, the owner, and the salary cap, it ain't gonna happen. |
I think a mixture of both is required, whilst we aren’t going to be splashing millions on new signings; there are also a lot of good players available for free or minimal fees.
The fact that Evans had to reiterate our stupid five point plan to all our staff which has been followed up by us linked with players at an average age of 32 is baffling.
Our best signing over the last few years (KVY) came for a minimal fee, a young and upcoming player who is only going to progress here. I don’t see why we haven’t gone down that route to be honest.
Factoring everything in, here’s hoping whoever we do sign can get us out of this league, as we need promotion more than ever currently. | | | |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:41 - Aug 14 with 1034 views | hype313 |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:37 - Aug 14 by PhilTWTD |
Add to that no money coming in the door due to the coronavirus as well. Think it was clear from before the salary cap came in that free transfers were going to be where we were going to get any additions. And this year it's an awfully big market with lots of out-of-contract players released who might otherwise not have been as clubs have looked to cut costs. |
Indeed, and if you look at our recent history under Evans, we are not a club that has spent significant money on lots of transfers.
Personally, I think this squad has enough to get us out of this league barring injuries, the question mark I have isn't necessary new signings, but more does Lambert have the minerals to produce results.
The jury on that is well and truly out for me. | |
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| Oli Hawkins on 09:48 - Aug 14 with 1007 views | PhilTWTD |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:41 - Aug 14 by hype313 |
Indeed, and if you look at our recent history under Evans, we are not a club that has spent significant money on lots of transfers.
Personally, I think this squad has enough to get us out of this league barring injuries, the question mark I have isn't necessary new signings, but more does Lambert have the minerals to produce results.
The jury on that is well and truly out for me. |
I think most are in agreement that the squad should be strong enough to get us out of this division and that not too many additions were required, particularly with it being unlikely that we could offload many players. | | | |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:52 - Aug 14 with 995 views | hype313 |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:48 - Aug 14 by PhilTWTD |
I think most are in agreement that the squad should be strong enough to get us out of this division and that not too many additions were required, particularly with it being unlikely that we could offload many players. |
Keeping Downs and Wolf could arguably be our best bit of business, selling them even for big fees would have been futile given the cap, obviously it would have helped Evans from a loss perspective, but on the playing side it would have been hugely detrimental. | |
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| Oli Hawkins on 09:54 - Aug 14 with 979 views | Radlett_blue |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:48 - Aug 14 by PhilTWTD |
I think most are in agreement that the squad should be strong enough to get us out of this division and that not too many additions were required, particularly with it being unlikely that we could offload many players. |
The squad should have been strong enough last season to finish a lot higher than 11th. It's hard to argue that the squad will be stronger this season so unless the manager bucks up his ideas in terms of fitting the players into a system that works, it's hard to be optimistic. |  |
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| Oli Hawkins on 10:03 - Aug 14 with 950 views | PhilTWTD |
| Oli Hawkins on 09:54 - Aug 14 by Radlett_blue |
The squad should have been strong enough last season to finish a lot higher than 11th. It's hard to argue that the squad will be stronger this season so unless the manager bucks up his ideas in terms of fitting the players into a system that works, it's hard to be optimistic. |
Actually, I'd argue it should be stronger. You've got the likes of Downes, Woolfenden and Dozzell who will be a year older and further along in their development, along with those below them such as Dobra and Idris, while there were a lot of players out with injuries last season.
Lankester and Nydam missed the whole year, which hopefully won't be the case this time around, and Sears will have the benefit of a pre-season having made his returrn not long before the season was curtailed.
And then there are players like Norwood and Vincent-Young - who only played nine games - who struggled with injuries which hopefully they'll avoid this season. | | | |
| Oli Hawkins on 10:50 - Aug 14 with 897 views | Radlett_blue |
| Oli Hawkins on 10:03 - Aug 14 by PhilTWTD |
Actually, I'd argue it should be stronger. You've got the likes of Downes, Woolfenden and Dozzell who will be a year older and further along in their development, along with those below them such as Dobra and Idris, while there were a lot of players out with injuries last season.
Lankester and Nydam missed the whole year, which hopefully won't be the case this time around, and Sears will have the benefit of a pre-season having made his returrn not long before the season was curtailed.
And then there are players like Norwood and Vincent-Young - who only played nine games - who struggled with injuries which hopefully they'll avoid this season. |
Yes, the potential is there for all of those you mentioned to be better players, but remember that for all his PR guff, Lambert was reluctant to play the youngsters last season. I wouldn't have been so unhappy with last season if there was some sign of team building & player development. | |
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