Worth a Shout

...but surprised that his players received no recognition for the Pilgrims’ flying start to the season.

The East-end table-toppers won all five of their matches in the first month of the campaign, one more than second-placed Argyle, and were awarded the August gongs for top manager and player, in Hendon and Dean Cox respectively.

“Coming down from the division above and getting the five wins on the bounce is excellent progress for them,” said Derek.

Orient midfielder Cox scored two goals during the month and assisted five others, whereas Pilgrims’ playmaker Graham Carey chipped in with four goals and three assists, criteria which left Derek bemused as to why the Greens’ Irish maestro did not receive even a nomination.

“When you play in a midfield position and you score the number of goals that Graham has, and created chances and openings, I was surprised,” said Derek, who felt that other Pilgrims deserved a mention in dispatches.

He said: “I was surprised that Luke McCormick didn’t get a shout, or some of the back players, because we had conceded only one goal from open play.”

Of his own recognition in his first month as Argyle manager, Derek said: “When you move from any football club to football club, it’s about working within the parameters of the club; taking on board what the football club is about; putting your own ideas and stamp and authority into the football club and on to the team. 

“That’s what I’ve tried to do and we’ve started well.”