IN-FORM

RYAN HARDIE IS BENEFITING FROM ARGYLE TACTICAL SWITCH

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

GETTING Ryan Hardie re-signed on a new three-year contract this summer already looks like an excellent piece of business for Plymouth Argyle.

The Scottish striker has got four goals in the first five Championship matches of the season as the Pilgrims have made an encouraging start to this term after their promotion as 2022/23 League One title winners.

Hardie is joint top scorer in the division, along with Southampton's Adam Armstrong, Will Keane of league leaders Preston North End, Norwich City's Jon Rowe and Ozan Tufan, of Hull City.

However, it is not just his goalscoring record that has pleased Argyle manager Steven Schumacher about the contribution of the 26-year-old.

Schumacher has got Argyle playing in a new 4-3-3 formation this season and Hardie is now a centre-forward who has attacking support from Bali Mumba and Morgan Whittaker.

It is no coincidence, therefore, Hardie is getting, and converting, more scoring chances in and around the six-yard area because he does not have to make so many runs down channels now.