Dewsnip backing Hardie to hit the goal trail

STRIKER A VALUED MEMBER OF THE TEAM, INSISTS DEWSNIP

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

RYAN Hardie continues to be a valued member of the Plymouth Argyle team despite the goals drying up for him recently, director of football Neil Dewsnip has said.

Hardie has netted 12 times in the Championship this season but has gone eight games without adding to his tally after a heavy reliance on him leading the line for the Pilgrims.

Dewsnip was asked in the pre-match Press conference before the Sky-televised clash against t a b l e - t o p p i n g Leicester City tonight (8pm) whether he thought the striker needed a break. He replied: “Ryan  can answer that very strongly and say 'He's fine, he will score the next chance. I hope he does.

"He's a centre-forward and like most centre-forwards I have ever worked with they have incredible self-belief, and they believe they are going to score the next chance. They don't always do that of course, but that's what they believe and Ryan is very strongly in that category.

"I think his scoring may well have dried up for now, and that can change tomorrow evening with a bit of luck, but the discussions with Ryan have been 'You are a valued member of the team'

"He gives us other things as well, not just the goals, and he's well respected within the dressing room so his team-mates very importantly believe in him. We are all with him and let's hope he does score that next opportunity."

The visit of Leicester is Argyle's third fixture in eight days as they fight to stay in the Championship among a cluster of clubs from 16th to 23rd in the table separated by just five points.