Hardie on Glovers Trip

Ryan Hardie began the 2021/22 football season by scoring 10 goals in his first 13 games.

That would suggest that his build-up for the campaign went as well as could be expected. The good news, Pilgrims, is that the Argyle striker feels that the run-up to this season getting under way has played out in a similar fashion.

“This pre-season has been similar,” he told Argyle TV. “I got a few goals last year in pre-season, and I’ve managed to do the same this pre-season so far. If I can get another couple at the weekend, that would set me in good stead for the season, certainly.”

As well as grabbing several goals in Argyle’s game during a Spanish training camp, Hardie notched away to Plymouth Parkway and against Sky Bet Championship side Swansea City, in their visit to Home Park.

The Pilgrims followed the draw against The Swans with a narrow loss against Bristol City then a 5-0 win at Torquay United. Next comes a game against Yeovil Town this Saturday, before the Sky Bet League One season begins at home to Barnsley on Saturday, 30 July.

Hardie, and his team-mates, cannot wait to get going.

“We feel like pre-season’s gone fast this year,” he said. “It’s been a tough one, but it’s been enjoyable.

“The games have been enjoyable. Swansea went quite well; we got a pleasing result in the end. It was a test for us defensively, trying out a new shape, setting up to stop Swansea playing.

“Against Bristol City, we were able to go and express ourselves more. Against Torquay things came to fruition a bit, the way we want to play, with counter-attacks and breaking forward.

“The first game of the season is just around the corner, it’s just over a week away now, and we’re just looking forward to getting started, getting the final preparations done, and getting the season up and running.”

Yeovil finished one place below Torquay in the Vanarama National League last season, but Hardie is under no illusions that victory will necessarily be achieved in the same straightforward manner.

“No two games are ever the same. They might set up in a different formation, a different style of play.

“For us, it’s about fine-tuning the details. Fitness-wise, we’ve had five or six weeks now to get that nailed down. It’s more about getting first touches right, getting passing right and making sure the finishing is right.”