Former Portsmouth striker and boss 'expected more' from Jordy Hiwula on full debut against West Ham

The one-time Blues boss questioned the former Coventry front man’s ‘determination to get stuck in’ after he was handed his full debut against the Hammers’ youngsters.

Hiwula was one of five senior players to feature in the EFL Trophy game at Fratton Park.

He was joined by Alex Bass, Paul Downing, James Bolton and Bryn Morris in a youthful startling XI that included three debutants – Charlie Bell, Alfie Stanley and Harry Kavanagh.

The game represented his first start since arriving on a free transfer last month, with a six-minute cameo against Charlton all he had to show during his short spell at Fratton Park until last night.

Whittingham was aware of the forward’s recent lack of game time and obvious fitness levels following his Sky Blues exit at the start of July.

But he still believed Hiwula could have done more to affect a game Pompey lost 1-0.

Speaking on BBC Solent at the final whistle, the former Blues favourite said: ‘Hiwula, I was looking forward to seeing.

‘I thought he might want to try and press upon Kenny Jackett that he wants to fight for a position up front and become one of the forward players.

‘Now, are we being a little unfair with him? He's been out of football for quite a while. But he didn't even, am I being cruel if I said: “he didn't affect anything I don't think, did he?”

‘From that point over view there you can see why Coventry let him go.

‘I think it would be taking it too far if I said he didn't look interested.

‘Now look, it's the first time he's started a game and it is a strange team he is playing in - it's not the players he's trained with all the time since he's been here, there was a mixture of young kids in there as well.

‘But I expected a bit more from him.’

A listener to Solent’s post-match reaction segment highlighted that the Pompey new boy lacked of service throughout the game to make a telling impact.

Whittingham agreed but said the striker didn’t ‘make it hard for the opposition’.

He then wrapped up the conversation by adding he was hopeful Hiwula would show his true quality when accompanied by more senior, creative players.

'I think it's probably a fair point but I'm not sure I saw a will, a real determination to get stuck in and make it hard for the opposition,’ added Whittingham.

‘And the service wasn't the best, I agree.

‘Hopefully he'll get another opportunity when he’s probably playing with more creative players around him and then he'll be able to join in a lot more and show us what he can do when he's got players of the right ability around him.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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