GOALKEEPER Graham Stack will be on familiar territory when Argyle travel to Reading on Saturday.

The new Green custodian spent three years at the Madejski before moving down to Home Park, although much of that was spent out on loan.

Unfortunately for Stack, the excellent form of American Marcus Hahnemann limited his first-team opportunities with the Royals.

"The main aim for me going there [to Reading] was to try and get in the side," he said.

"I knew how well Marcus had done the previous season. He won club player of the year and was in the team of the year for the league, so I was well aware of the competition I had in front of me.

"I wanted to go there and give it a shot. They were a good bunch of lads and a good team. I always thought there was potential to get promoted but, doing it in our first year, surprised me and the other lads.

"Marcus is an excellent 'keeper. He has shown his worth over the years he has been there. He is a fans' favourite and it was a joy to work with him.

"I have still got friends at the club. The club was fantastic to me. They took me at a time in my career when a lot of clubs probably wouldn't have made the offer, so I owe them a lot.

"I would like to think I paid back the club in some way. I have got a lot of good memories. We won the league and went on a couple of decent cup runs.

Being second choice at Reading was never part of Stack's plan, especially after six years as understudy at Arsenal.

He said: "A lot of goalkeepers are happy to be a number two and happy to sit down and not play, but, with the age I was at, I was very keen to play games.

"I was at Arsenal but on loan at Millwall. I returned to Arsenal in the summer and Reading made an offer for an initial six-month loan deal, which activated a three-year permanent deal after that time.

"After a good season on loan at Millwall in the Championship and a good season as a number two with Arsenal, it felt like a backward step to be number two at Reading.

"I wanted to keep the momentum going forward by playing games but it wasn't meant to be, so, every opportunity I had to go out on loan, I did my utmost to go out and play as many games as possible."

Opportunities may have been limited for Stack, but he is still full of admiration for the club and the squad of players manager Steve Coppell has assembled.

Despite this, Stack has one particularly memory from Reading's promotion year, and that was an opening day home defeat to Argyle.

"The Gaffer has got a very organized team there," he said.

"It is a similar side to the one that got promoted. I know they have lost players but, if they can keep the backbone of the team, they will do great.

"We are in for a very tough test on the weekend. It is a very hard place to go, although I do remember Plymouth coming there and beating us on the opening day of the season.

"We only lost one more game after that, and that was against Luton.

"Their punters will be right behind them. There is high expectation for them to get straight back into the Premiership."

The challenge could not be greater for Argyle and Stack will need to continue with the excellent performances he managed in the 2-2 Championship draw with Wolves last Saturday.

He also produced a string of fine saves in Tuesday's Carling Cup defeat at Luton, but would readily exchange the plaudits for a quiet Saturday afternoon.

He said: "We were very lacklustre on Tuesday night. Too many players didn't turn up as far as we were concerned and you know what to expect at a place like Luton.

"We have to set our stall out against Reading in exactly the way we started against Wolves last Saturday - high tempo, in your face, not giving people time on the ball, being direct but, at the same time, keeping possession when we have got it.

"We are not the sort of side to play passing football but I would like to think we can impose ourselves when we go there.

"They [Reading] will have threats all over the park. They have got pace out wide and danger up front.

"From my point of view, making saves is great but we have to look at source and see where these chances are coming from.

"I have been fairly busy in the last two games with plenty of saves to make. That is what I am there for and I am happy doing it, but I would be delighted if I went through a game at Reading with nothing to do.

"We are looking to cut down on the chances we are giving to the opposition."