The Game
Argyle v Reading. Boxing Day, Friday, 26 December. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Reading lost their first three games of the season, winning just one of their first seven. From mid-September, the Royals began to pick up, and lost just one of their next ten, drawing five and winning four.
After their 3-0 win at Blackpool, Reading could not follow up, losing 2-1 at home to Peterborough, and then falling 2-0 at Bradford City. Most recently, last Thursday, Reading beat Luton Town 3-2 at home.
The Gaffer
46-year-old head coach Leam Richardson featured at right-back for numerous Football League clubs throughout his playing days. Richardson represented Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Notts County, Blackpool and Accrington Stanley as a player before he retired in 2012. When John Coleman departed Accrington, Richardson became caretaker manager until Paul Cook was appointed.
Richardson had another spell as Accrington’s caretaker when Cook headed to Chesterfield, but shortly followed him to Derbyshire. Richardson continued to serve as Cook’s assistant for a number of years at Chesterfield, Portsmouth, and Wigan Athletic before getting his first managerial role in 2021. This came with Wigan, after both Cook and John Sheridan had departed the club amidst financial difficulties. Richardson stepped up, managing to lead the Latics to promotion from League One to the Championship in his first full season in charge.
After poor results on their return to the second tier, Richardson was sacked by Wigan. He took a year out before taking the Rotherham United job in December 2023; he remained there for four months until he was sacked. The former defender took another lengthy break from management before being appointed Reading’s head coach in late October this year.
The Squad
Experienced forward Jack Marriott (below) has six goals this season, and that is from only seven starts and three substitute appearances. Now 31, Marriott’s career began at Ipswich Town, with many loans out, but it got rolling at Luton Town. He has subsequently had two spells at Peterborough United, and played for Derby County, Fleetwood Town and Wrexham, scoring consistently throughout. He signed for Reading near the end of the 2025 summer transfer window.
Lewis Wing is one of only two players to have played every league game for Reading this season. The 30-year-old central midfielder was a bit of a latecomer to pro football, joining Middlesbrough aged 22, but after time with Boro and Wycombe Wanderers, plus some shorter-term loans, Wing joined Reading in 2023, and is now well past 100 appearances in blue and white.
Likely to line up alongside Wing in midfield is Charlie Savage, another ever-present this season. Son of Robbie, Charlie began his career, like his father, at Manchester United, but did not make it through at Old Trafford. Instead, after a loan at Forest Green Rovers, Charlie moved to Reading in 2023 and quickly established himself as a regular. He also has two caps for Wales.
Previous Meetings
Argyle have not met Reading in league action since 2009/10. During that season, Argyle won the home game 4-1, over Christmas, but lost 2-1 on the road. The sides have met twice in the Carabao Cup since, with Reading winning both times.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with the Pre-Match Show, from 2.30pm, with Erin Black joined by Marc Edworthy, before commentary of the game comes from Charlie Price and Ian Stonebridge.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas. CLICK HERE for more information.
