Ryan Hardie was among Wrexham’s earliest summer buys ahead of the Championship season. Now he could be one of the first to leave the club in the winter transfer window.
Be it any Red Dragons fan, they would be lying not to accept that the latest Championship prediction has their hearts pounding. And rightly so, given even one win so far in December could’ve had them right up alongside the top half sides.
Adding to fans’ disappointment, while Wrexham had another such moment last weekend, Ryan Hardie couldn’t bury the last shot of the game to complete a memorable comeback.
Sounds miserable, doesn’t it? Well, this harsh fortune may be a recent trend for Wrexham, but it’s been the week-in, week-out story for Hardie now.
Notably, Hardie’s latest appearance was his first one in a while, which lasted only 12 minutes. And the fact that his last Wrexham start dates back to September says for his lost ground in the club’s pecking order.
Now, calling out boss Parkinson for Hardie’s underuse is an option, but the lucrative form of the rest of the forwards has him effectively helpless. Ultimately, as things stand, all this could make for Hardie switching clubs yet again this transfer window.
To say, the recent Football League World report just fuels this possibility, with Hardie on the radar of multiple Championship sides in Preston North End, Blackburn and Hull.
Has Ryan Hardie been a failed transfer?
Going from being the hero in Plymouth’s historic FA Cup win over Liverpool to a benchwarmer for Wrexham within months, Hardie’s transfer unraveled quite differently from what was expected. Still, a conclusion too early feels unfair.
No one can deny Hardie’s ability to net double digits for Plymouth in consecutive Championship seasons before a move to Wrexham. And the miserable decline of Plymouth, without their heroic number 9, says of what his presence meant to them.
Well, who, Hardie or Plymouth, missed the other one more, needs discussion. Yet that doesn’t cover up for the Wrexham faithful’s hopes for the 28-year-old, who was expected to fill in club icon Paul Mullin’s shoes.
Speaking financially, the loss hasn’t been grave on Wrexham’s £700k investment in Hardie’s summer signing. And who knows, with a January exit linked, Wrexham actually emerge as the long-term winner with him.
Ryan Hardie’s successful loan can turn things around
Time and again, commendable January signings like Ryan Longman, have been key to Wrexham’s rise in English football. Well, that’s what makes the counterpart a fair choice to test with Ryan Hardie now.
Analysing the interest for Hardie, it’s clear that Preston and Hull’s liking arises from the Scot’s ability to spearhead an attack with his presence. Exactly, what the two demand from a January recruit to materialise their current solid position into a promotion run.
Agreed, Blackburn asks Hardie for a contrasting relegation battle role, but then again, Wrexham’s benefitting opportunity isn’t hidden.
That’s because, effectively, all 3 clubs on the table showcase more promise of gametime for Hardie than his current situation.
Be it a promotion chance with PNE and Hull, or a one-man saviour role at Blackburn, the 28-year-old is bound to finish the season on a higher note. Add that with a string of goals, and Wrexham may be back to square one in terms with him.
Remember, Championship football has proven it enough times that every iconic story need not start with fire. Who knows, Hardie’s redemption at Wrexham is just one loan spell away?
