Hardie's Peterborough Preview

Like all good strikers, Ryan Hardie started the season searching for his first goal to get the proverbial ball rolling, and actual one into the backs of nets.

At Fleetwood Town, from the penalty spot, Argyle’s number nine got his first of the season, and naturally he is hoping many more will follow.

Last season, Hardie’s first goals came away at Peterborough United in a 4-0 win for The Pilgrims, and would go on to notch 19 during the campaign.

Argyle meet Peterborough at Home Park this Saturday, having just played them in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, and Ryan is hopeful for a good result, and repeat of his goalscoring exploits.

“Last season I had a successful season, probably because of my start,” Ryan told Argyle TV. “This year, I’ve got going in the second game. Hopefully I can continue to add to that. I scored a couple against Peterborough last year. It would be nice to repeat that.

“I go into most games confident I will score a goal. The team I play in creates a lot of chances, so it is up to me to put the ball away.

“Both sides are attacking, want to play free-flowing football and score some goals. It will be an exciting game. Hopefully one we come out on top of. It will be two teams wanting to go and win. They are obviously looking to keep their start to the season going. We’re looking to kick-start ours after defeat last weekend.

“It’s two teams who should be at the top end of the table.”

This season so far, Argyle have implemented a 3-4-3 system in which Hardie has operated as the central striker in league matches. Manager Steven Schumacher has spoken of his desire to have several options available to him, including use of the system employed last season, during which Hardie typically worked in tandem with another forward.

Any reluctance he may have had about the new formation, or any fears of being isolated, have been quickly cast aside, with Danny Mayor and Finn Azaz working so closely in the Argyle frontline.

“Most of my career I’ve played in a two and enjoyed it,” said Ryan. “Playing as a one you feel quite isolated, but in this formation it is so much different.

“There are a couple of tens who play higher up the park, so it is basically a three. There’s more support than there would be playing as a two. I’m really enjoying it this year, and hopefully there will be a lot mor chances because the tens get on the ball a lot. It’s an enjoyable formation to play in.

“[Danny and Finn] have been different class. Since Finn came in, you can see his qualities. He likes to get on it, half-turn and play forward quickly. That’s something I am on board with. Any chance I get I can run in behind, and he likes to thread those balls through.

“With Danny, you’ve seen him for years and years doing the same thing, being a threat in the final third. He attracts defenders and leaves space for me to run into.”