Waine is relishing the competition to be main man for the Pilgrims

BEN Waine is enjoying the competitiveness between him and Ryan Hardie at Plymouth Argyle and the way the two goalscorers are pushing each other to get better

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

With the new 4-3-3 formation introduced by manager Steven Schumacher at the start of this season there is only one position in the team for an out-and-out striker.

Hardie, Argyle's top scorer for the past two campaigns, started the 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at Home Park in their first Championship match last Saturday, and got the third goal, while New Zealand international Waine was a late substitute for him.

Waine then got the chance to start Argyle's Carabao Cup first round tie against Leyton Orient, and the 22-year-old made the most of the opportunity as he netted twice in the 2-0 win.

Despite that, Hardie will almost certainly return to the team for the Championship game away to Watford on Saturday, but it is encouraging both players have begun the season in scoring form.

Waine said: "One thing I will say is I have never had another striker that I have got on so well with. I think sometimes it can be a little bit awkward between strikers because obviously you are trying to take each other's spot.

"Me and him, I think we just seem to get along really well, and we try and help each other. He's always encouraging me.

"That's the whole point of it, we are going to be good to each other but we are going to push each other as well. You can see that competitiveness and we are always trying to beat each other in training, and I think that's healthy to be honest."

He added: "At the end of the day, the changing room has to get along. Everyone is here for the same reason, I think that's so important.