Houghton lauds strikers as ‘best in League One’
Argyle’s Jephcott and Hardie already have 12 goals between them this campaign
RYAN Hardie and Luke Jephcott are the best strikeforce in League One at the moment, according to their Plymouth Argyle team-mate Jordan Houghton.
The pair have combined for 12 goals at the start of this season, with Hardie getting eight of them while Jephcott has grabbed four.
Hardie netted both goals in the 2-2 draw away to Portsmouth on Tuesday night, when Argyle recovered from a half-time deficit to take the lead in the closing stages only to concede a last-gasp equaliser.
Houghton is full of admiration for the way that Hardie and Jephcott have performed in the opening seven weeks of the season.
Hardie had stitches in a gashed left ear after crashing into the advertising hoardings at Fratton Park but soon returned to the action and Portsmouth’s defence could not contain him. Even before he scored the first of his two goals, the 24-year-old had twice gone close to equalising for the Pilgrims.
Houghton said: “I think they have tried everything to stop him, with the advertising boards and everything! He has been doing amazing, him and Jephs are up there are a real handful.
“I know Portsmouth spoke before the game in the Press about trying to stop them. I don’t think there are any two better strikers in the league at the moment.
“They work hard, they are getting the goals they deserve, but I think it comes from all round the pitch.
“We are working really well as a team and it kind of gives them the platform to kick on. They are the catalyst that starts off the team and long may it continue really.”
While Hardie is getting most of the attention, especially after scoring six goals in the last six games, Houghton believes that Wales under-21 international Jephcott deserves some plaudits too.
Houghton said: “People do look at the goals straight away and Ry finished off his again (at Portsmouth ) really well.
“He’s so calm and composed in the box when some people might be thrashing at things, but that’s what his game is, in and around the box.
“His intensity outside the box is really good, running defenders down, but Jephs is putting in some work that maybe goes un-noticed.
“He’s dropping into that little pocket of space which upsets defenders and just gets us up the pitch, and gets some free-kicks.
“It comes from the two ‘eights’ (Ryan Broom and Panutche Camara) as well, running off the ball. The lads around the back, we are looking solid, so it’s a team effort, but Ry is getting the headlines - deservedly.”
With Argyle fourth in League One, one point off the top of the table after a run of seven games unbeaten, Hardie and Jephcott are not the only players who have earned praise.
Another one has been strong-running midfielder Panutche Camara, who came up with the assists for both of Hardie’s goals against Portsmouth.
Camara came in for some rough treatment from Portsmouth’s players as he was repeatedly fouled but the 24-year-old showed admirable restraint and, instead, focused on his game.
Houghton said: “I don’t think there is anyone in the league who can cope with his running ability and his power with the ball.