The Game
Argyle v Rotherham United. Saturday, 13 December. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Rotherham began with a win over Port Vale, but lost three of the next four, picking up a point at home to Wigan in between. A 1-0 win at home to Exeter ended that run, but they lost the next three, and things looked bleak at the end of September.
They began October with a draw with Bradford City, and it signalled the start of a nine-game unbeaten run. Three wins in a row followed, away at Northampton Town and Barnsley, either side of a home win against Leyton Orient. Then, from two more home fixtures, Rotherham drew with Burton Albion, then beat Lincoln City 3-0.
Three draws followed – away to Luton Town and Reading, then at home to Wycombe Wanderers – but the Millers lost 3-0 at Blackpool on Wednesday.
The Gaffer
43-year-old manager Matt Hamshaw was born and grew up in Rotherham, before joining Sheffield Wednesday’s academy. After breaking into the first-team setup at Wednesday, Hamshaw helped them achieve promotion into the Championship under Paul Sturrock. The midfielder had further spells at Stockport County, Mansfield Town, Notts County, Macclesfield Town, Matlock Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Upon retiring, Hamshaw became a coach at hometown club Rotherham, working at academy level. Under Paul Warne, Hamshaw was promoted to first-team coach and remained in that post until both left the club in 2022. He followed Warne to Derby County and remained at Pride Park for over three years. Following Warne’s sacking, Hamshaw took on the role of caretaker manager at Pride Park until John Eustace was appointed. Shortly after this, he departed Derby but was back in management after just a month.
When Steve Evans was sacked by Rotherham in March, Hamshaw was appointed manager on an interim basis, later receiving the job permanently. Hamshaw has now held his post for eight months and will be looking to guide the Millers to a strong finish during his first full season in charge.
The Squad
Wing-back Denzel Hall has played 17 times this season, scoring three, mostly playing as a wing-back. From Rotterdam to Rotherham; Hall began with Feyenoord, also playing for ADO Den Haag and Heerenveen, before moving to South Yorkshire in the summer.
Midfielder Joe Powell (below) has played the most outfield minutes of any Rotherham player this season. Once of West Ham United, Powell had a loan with Northampton Town, then signed permanently with Burton Albion, spending four years at the Pirelli Stadium, before moving to Rotherham in the summer of 2024.
Like Powell, Dan Gore has played 18 out of 19 league games for the Millers. On-loan from Manchester United, midfielder Gore has won the FA Youth Cup with the Red Devils, and has made his senior debut for United, in the Carabao Cup. He was with Rotherham on loan for some of last season, and returned for 2025/26.
Previous Meetings
The last time the sides met was in the 2023/24 season. At Home Park, Argyle won 3-2, with Morgan Whittaker scoring a 96th-minute winner in what proved to be Steven Schumacher’s final game as manager. Later in the season, the sides met in South Yorkshire, days after Schumacher’s replacement Ian Foster had been sacked, and Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell had taken temporary charge. Argyle won 1-0, with Bali Mumba scoring the goal.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with Argyle Breakfast, starting at 10am, brought to you by Erin Black and Aaron Cusack, and featuring Andy Morrison. Erin will return for the Pre-Match Show, from 2.30pm, alongside Katie Middleton, before commentary of the game comes from Charlie Price and Marc Edworthy.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas. CLICK HERE for more information.
