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Ryan Hardie feels settled at Plymouth Argyle despite tough season

Argyle striker Ryan Hardie is challenged by Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham during the Championship match at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, January 25, 2025 - Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Ryan Hardie is hoping more goal scoring chances will start to come his way after a frustrating season for him in which he has only netted twice for bottom-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle.

Since joining the Pilgrims in January 2020, initially on loan, the Scottish striker has hit the target 64 times, but he has now gone 18 Championship games since he added to his tally with a penalty in a 3-2 win against Sunderland at Home Park in September.

Hardie said: "Obviously, I know myself it's not good enough but I like to pride myself on my running, my work rate and I always give the team an out ball if they are ever struggling. I will chase every ball that goes in the channel and try and get the team up the pitch, but personally it has been tough.

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"I know it's not where the club wants to be. Being here so long I know exactly how everyone feels. I have the feelings myself. The fans are still supporting us unbelievably, it's a credit to them and a credit to the football club that they have got a fanbase like this.

"I think they epitomise what the city is about, what the area is about. It's brilliant and that's why I like being part of the football club."

While Hardie is understandably disappointed with his goal tally this term, it is fair to point out that he has often had few, if any, chances playing in games as a lone striker.

He did, however, have one excellent opportunity to open the scoring in the 2-2 draw away to Sunderland last Saturday but could not make proper contact with a cross from Mustapha Bundu and sent his header wide of the far post.

On his lack of scoring chances this season, Hardie said: "I have had that argument with people in the changing room, coaches, whatever. I would rather miss a couple than not get any.

"The header on Saturday was a big chance for me and I was disappointed but it's the first chance I have missed in months, to be honest. I have not had any that stick in my mind anyway. It's one that is obviously very frustrating for me. I just want to be played in on goal and get them chances again."

It has also not helped Hardie that he recently had a few injuries: "Over December I had a bit of a rough patch, doing my knee then I came back and did my groin and my shoulder," he said. "I'm glad to get it all over with now and I'm getting back to full fitness again."

Argyle are without a Championship win in 15 matches and facing a desperate fight to escape relegation going into their home game against West Bromwich Albion tomorrow (12.30pm).

Hardie said: "The motivation is just stay in the league. We did it last year. We are all in it together and there is only us that can dig ourselves out of the situation we have got in, but we are not too far away, a couple of wins from getting right back in amongst it."

If selected against West Brom, Hardie will draw level with injured club captain Joe Edwards on playing 234 games for Argyle, which is something he would take pride in.

Hardie said: "I think for anyone to make that many appearances for one club nowadays it's very rare. It's going to be one I'm looking to continue to play a lot more.

"It has been a good ride so far. It has been a bit bumpy this season but hopefully we can start getting better again. From the first six months that I came (on loan) it felt like home.

"I hit the ground running quite well that year and the years since I have continued to do well. We had a kid here and he's four years old now and has started school so it's just a place we have really settled at and we are enjoying it."

As for Argyle's task against fifth-placed West Brom, Hardie added: "They are a good solid team. They like to play in the opponent's half, they have got good players but we are mostly focusing on ourselves and how we can hurt them, even out of possession it's where we can win the ball back and then transition to attack."

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