Ex-Portsmouth striker Oli Hawkins struggling for goals at Ipswich - but he's not alone

Yet according to the East Anglian Daily Times’ Andy Warren, so have the rest of Ipswich’s strikers this season.

The former Pompey man has netted just once in 15 matches for Paul Lambert’s third-placed side.

Similarly, fellow forwards James Norwood and Kayden Jackson have also each registered once during the campaign.

SEE ALSO: Jackett on 'close' decision but no regrets as Ipswich reunion with Hawkins looms

Nonetheless, it has been a quiet start to life with the Tractor Boys for Hawkins, who has also found first-team starts hard to come by.

‘It was a slow start to the season for Oli, who has been playing catch up after missing the bulk of pre-season, said Warren.

‘Having arrived in mid-August, he has been behind everyone else in terms of fitness, while he was also injured at one stage.

‘The other factor has been Paul Lambert’s preference to have just the one striker up front, which also doesn’t help with the scoring of the lone forward.

‘Norwood and Jackson are the main two strikers, but all three have struggled for goals during their spells in the team.

‘Oli’s only goal so far was against Crewe at the end of October, when he got up above a player and did what he’s good at with a headed finish.

‘Goalscoring is a team issue, though. Ipswich have scored more than one goal in a game just twice in their last nine fixtures.

‘Overall, Oli has done what we expected him to do. He’s a hard worker, shown some nice touches, but he’s not the kind of guy who will make changes for himself.

‘Mind you, at Plymouth last weekend he came off the bench and changed the game. Ipswich used him in a front two – and the team netted twice in two minutes to win 2-1.

‘Lambert recently claimed Ipswich are useless with two up top. I don’t know whether he would consider changing his mind, I doubt it.

‘My instinct for Pompey’s visit will be Jackson up front on his own, with Hawkins coming off the bench as an impact player once more.’

Meanwhile, boss Lambert is coming under increased pressure after Ipswich slipped following a bright start to the season.

The echoes last term, when the former League One leaders weren’t even in the play-offs when the season was curtailed in March.

Warren added: ‘Fans will be let back into Portman Road on Saturday for the first time since March.

‘There could well be some anti-Lambert stuff if they fall behind 2-0 again like they did when Pompey visited in the FA Cup this season.

‘Sections of fans are very much against the manager.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News has launched a new subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage, starting at less than £1 a week.

You can subscribe here to get the latest news and transfer updates from Fratton Park - and to support our local team of expert Pompey writers.