Lowe tasks Hardie to add consistency to his game

Manager pleased with striker’s performance on his return to former club Blackpool

RYAN Lowe wants to see better consistency and more goals from Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie.

Hardie was recalled to the starting line-up for the away game against his former club Blackpool on Saturday.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring for the Pilgrims in the 2-2 draw and, overall, he posed plenty of problems for the Seasiders’ defence with his pacy attacking runs.

Hardie got the chance to partner Niall Ennis up front after top scorer Luke Jephcott had played for Wales under-21s against the Republic of Ireland the previous afternoon.

His goal against Blackpool was his first in 14 games since late January, with many of his appearances during that time coming off the bench.

Lowe said: “I’m pleased for him but he has got to show that (level of performance) all the time, not just against Blackpool.

“He has been patient, he has had to wait for an opportunity and he has took it.

“Niall has been in form and (Klaidi) Lolos came on the pitch for five minutes and gave us something a little bit different.

“Whoever is performing the best in training gets the opportunity.

“I said to Ry ‘It’s an opportunity, go and take it’ but I don’t just want it to be against his former club.

“I want it to be against whoever he plays against, whether it’s Wimbledon or Shrewsbury (over the Easter bank holiday weekend), it has got to be on a consistent basis.

“Ultimately, strikers are judged on their goals as well as their work-rate.

“Ryan gives you all the work-rate.

He has just to keep finding the back of the net, to benefit him and benefit us.”

Hardie caused such trouble for Blackpool defender Jordan Thornley that he was replaced at half-time by Daniel Gretarsson.

Lowe said: “He has got that pace, and we worked on Ryan and Niall getting down the outside of them.”

Argyle led at half-time against Blackpool after Hardie’s 12th minute goal but then fell 2-1 behind in the second period.

Skipper Joe Edwards rescued a point for the Pilgrims with an equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time.

Edwards made a well-timed run into the Blackpool penalty area from his right-back position and confidently slotted the ball past ‘keeper Chris Maxwell with a clean, first time attempt.

Lowe said: “Joe makes a habit of it - he has got eight goals now this season. He has been fantastic, he has led the group since Gaz (Gary Sawyer) has been injured.

“He has been a leader on the pitch, his performances speak volumes for him. He has been a top professional.

“He does things properly, does things right and we are just pleased that he gets in them positions because he has got a little knack for a goal. When he’s getting in them areas you always fancy him to score.”

Lowe added: “I was going to take him off one game a few weeks ago and Schuey (assistant manager Steven Schumacher) went ‘No, leave him on, he has got a knack of scoring’.

“I was like ‘Yeah, true’. So we are looking at him that he’s a goal threat as well as being a good defender and a good footballer.”