This season has been a struggle for Luton Town. Overachieving for so long, the tables have quickly turned, as the Hatters have greatly underachieved over the last 18 months. Succumbing to two successive relegations, the club currently sit 11th in League One, having parted ways with Matt Bloomfield and recently defeated 5-0 away at Barnsley.
Simple observations show that the squad is massively underachieving, as they did the season prior. Many had expected Luton to immediately secure a return to the Championship, which appears to be a more difficult task by the day.
Jack Wilshere’s side currently sit four points adrift of the top six, having suffered seven defeats in 16 matches.
At the time of writing, Town have scored the joint-least number of goals in League One’s top half. This should come as a surprise, as their squad possesses several prolific forwards from divisions above in Nakhi Wells, Elijah Adebayo, and Jerry Yates.
The club have been in dire need of a firm refresh of the squad for the last 18 months, as their formula that saw them reach the heights of the Premier League has faltered of late.
However, Luton clearly have the budget to suit Jack Wilshere’s demands in the winter window. Big spenders in the summer, the club are still receiving parachute payments in the third tier after their relegation from the Premier League in 2024.
Befitting of both the squad’s needs and budget could be Ryan Hardie, who is reportedly eyeing a move away from Wrexham in January, after his £700,000 summer move has seen the striker limited for gametime, according to Football League World.
Should Luton Town Move for Ryan Hardie?
As mentioned, goalscoring has been a fundamental issue for Luton this season.
Ryan Hardie is proven as both a talisman and promotion winner in League One. Providing double figures in his last four seasons for Plymouth Argyle, he was fundamental in helping his club lift the title over Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town in 2023.
Hard-working with the quality to match, the striker could be an excellent fit in turning the Hatters’ fortunes.
The attacking talent already at the club is clear to see, with the likes of Millenic Alli and Ali Al Hamadi yet to show their true talents in the division.
Hardie could provide an excellent focal point for the Hatters, with the club likely to invest further in the January window.
He often featured as part of a hard-working front two in his Plymouth days, meaning a formation change would be in line for Wilshere. However, the prospect of Hardie accompanying Wells, Alli, or Yates is excellent.
Ryan Hardie Over the Years (All Competitions)
- 2024-25: 12 goals, 3 assists.
- 2023-24: 13 goals, 4 assists.
- 2022-23: 17 goals, 4 assists.
- 2021-22: 19 goals, 5 assists
(Source: FotMob)
Would Luton Town Be Able To Secure Ryan Hardie?
However, any potential move from Luton for the Scotsman would likely be met with competition. Hardie’s Argyle days also saw him prove himself in the Championship, which earned him a move to North Wales.
Limited to five appearances at Wrexham, this season has not shown that Hardie is ‘not good enough’ for Championship level. The partnership of Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass has simply been excellent for the Red Dragons, and the 27-year-old has been unfortunate enough to be behind the duo.
The Scotsman would be an excellent addition for any goal-shy club in the bottom half of the Championship. Fundamental in securing Argyle’s Championship survival in the 2023-24 campaign, he will not be short of suitors.
Therefore, it is more than likely that a Championship club could move for Hardie in January.