Hawkins: Portsmouth now a team '“ not individuals

Match-winner Oli Hawkins toasted the team ethic powering Pompey towards the Championship.
Oli Hawkins celebrates victory over Fleetwood. Picture: Joe PeplerOli Hawkins celebrates victory over Fleetwood. Picture: Joe Pepler
Oli Hawkins celebrates victory over Fleetwood. Picture: Joe Pepler

Hawkins marked his 50th Blues game with the decisive goal in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Fleetwood.

The 26-year-old did the damage to put Kenny Jackett's side six points clear at the top of League One.

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And the striker believes it's a selfless attitude among the Pompey squad which is reaping dividends.

Oli Hawkins celebrates victory over Fleetwood. Picture: Joe PeplerOli Hawkins celebrates victory over Fleetwood. Picture: Joe Pepler
Oli Hawkins celebrates victory over Fleetwood. Picture: Joe Pepler

That was seen last week as Hawkins told The News he views himself as a squad player.

He was given another start at Fratton Park, however, and delivered a strong showing with his presence to go with his 50th-minute winner.

Hawkins said: '˜I want to do the best I can for the team and I managed to put the header in.

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'˜I'm there to win first balls and I was lucky enough that I was able to help the team by doing that.

'˜I'm happy to be in there, score and be able to contribute.

'˜When I'm called upon I'm ready.

'˜It's gone quick for me here. A lot of the game have been off the bench but it's a good achievement to play 50 games.

'˜It's been a quick year but now I want to focus on this season and get us promoted.

'˜Last year it was maybe more about individual players.

'˜You had Brett (Pitman) scoring loads of goals.

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'˜We did well that way but this season each position looks strong.

'˜There's competition everywhere.

'˜That's what you need if you want to win the league.'

Hawkins told of the confidence coursing through the Pompey side as they made it a single defeat in 14 games and ended a run of three league games without success.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge man admitted it was relief to see a return to home comforts at Fratton Park.

Hawkins added: '˜We haven't done our best at home in the past few games.

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'˜So it was nice to be able to finally break that run and give the fans a win.

'˜Then we heard Peterborough and Barnsley lost so it's six points clear. That's good.

'˜We need to go again against Burton and keep it going.

'˜Everyone's confident. We're top of the league and we want to stay there.

'˜We're getting results and getting wins.

'˜All the boys look confident in training and games. We look like we want to win games.'

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Hawkins was given another attacking partner in the shape of Ronan Curtis against Fleetwood, before a switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ben Thompson advanced.

It was an approach which got the job done as attentions turn to Burton Albion's visit tomorrow.

Hawkins said: '˜We wanted to start the way we started against Wimbledon.

'˜We ended up changing it towards the end of the first half.

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'˜But we are trying to find a way to get the results when teams come here to defend.

'˜Pushing Thommo forward helped us in the second half to break forward more.

'˜We're focussed now on Tuesday.

'˜After getting a win at Fratton we really want to take that forward.

'˜It's game by game and about not slipping up.'

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