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Reading’s January 2026 was one of those months that can be reasonably interpreted a number of ways. While results were on paper very good (three wins, two draws and a loss), performances were mixed, while a couple of particularly frustrating home draws gave rise to the feeling that this month should have gone even better.
To break those games down, the Royals kicked off 2026 with back-to-back clean-sheet home wins over Burton Albion (2-0) and Stockport County (1-0). Following the annual poor performance and loss at Leyton Orient (3-1), Reading were too open defensively twice in a week, dropping points against Barnsley (2-2) and Exeter City (2-2). The month ended on a high though: a 2-0 win at Northampton Town.
Adding to the feeling of this being a mixed month, going by our Player Ratings, January included one of Reading’s highest-scored performances of the season (Burton, 6.43/10) and the worst (Leyton Orient, 4.5/10). The average for the entire month comes to 5.64/10, which is higher than Leam Richardson’s previous two months (5.57/10 in November, 5.42/10 in December).
But which player was your standout in January? We’ve put together our shortlist for you to choose from – this time coming to four players in total.
They’ll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of December’s winner, Joel Pereira, who snuck ahead of Daniel Kyerewaa by only two votes! Our previous winners this season are Derrick Williams (August), Jack Marriott (September) and Charlie Savage (October and November).
Finley Burns
Average rating: 6.33 / Man of the match awards: 3rd (Burton Albion H), 1st (Stockport County H), 2nd (Leyton Orient A)
Although he was out of the team for the final three games of January, Burns started the year strongly, continuing his December form after stepping in for Derrick Williams. His average rating is the joint-highest of anyone in the squad for January, thanks in particular to strong performances against Burton and Stockport, the latter of which resulted in a man of the match win.
Jack Marriott
Average rating: 5.50 / Man of the match awards: 2nd (Burton Albion H), 1st (Leyton Orient A), 3rd (Northampton Town A)
Another month, another big goal haul from Marriott, who struck four in six January matches. Collectively they showed Marriott’s all-round quality as a finisher, given that he netted a header from a cross (Burton), with his left foot when played through by Kamari Doyle (Leyton Orient), from a bit of a scramble in the box (Barnsley), and from a long ball (Northampton).
Haydon Roberts
Average rating: 6.33 / Man of the match awards: 1st (Barnsley H), 2nd (Exeter City H)
It’s been a really encouraging start to life in Berkshire for Roberts, who’s immediately impressed at left-back, especially with his attacking game. That was on full display in a debut that couldn’t have gone much better (for him individually, anyway): Roberts provided threat down the flank against Barnsley and popped up at the back post to put the Royals ahead. He built on that with a quality assist for Will Keane against Exeter a few days later.
Lewis Wing
Average rating: 6.00 / Man of the match awards: 2nd (Stockport County H), 2nd (Northampton Town A)
Despite some poor showings against Barnsley and Exeter, Wing comes out of January with a pretty good average thanks to his performances in other games. His highlight was an excellent long-range winner against Stockport, though he also provided three assists in the final two games of the month: for Paudie O’Connor, Marriott and Keane.
Vote
So those are your candidates, but who gets your vote? Cast your ballot through this link right here.
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