Deserved Recognition

Pilgrims captain Curtis Nelson was voted into the Sky Bet League 2  team of the year by his fellow players, while a managers’ poll selected playmaker Graham Carey as the sixth best player in the division.

Curtis has been an ever present for Argyle this season, missing only 17 minutes of first team action, and has now played over 240 games for the Pilgrims. 

“It’s very good for Curtis to be nominated by his fellow professionals,” said Derek. “He’s played really well this season for us and deserves that award. It’s always good when people you’ve played against recognise how good he has been this season and how difficult he’s been to play against.

“He’s been very fortunate to play as many times for Argyle as he has, at an early age. That will always benefit him in the future.”

Carey missed out on joining his captain in the team of the year, but saw only five players ahead of him in an overall list. All five of those were attackers who did feature in the player-selected 11. 

Brought down to England by Adams, who had managed Carey previously at Ross County, Graham has contributed directly – by scoring or by assist - to over a third of Argyle’s goals this season, despite missing two months of the season through injury. 

Adams said: “I’m pleased for Graham Carey as well, who was nominated by the managers and finished really high up. It’s been good for two players to be recognised and obviously there could have been more but it’s been a very good division this season.

“There’s been a fair few players that have outstanding for us this season but there has been a lot of good players in the division and everyone recognised by their fellow professionals deserved it.”

Derek also provided a positive update on Carl McHugh and Reuben Reid’s respective hamstring and thigh injuries, which will be evaluated again before Saturday’s trip to Cambridge United. 

“They’re progressing well,” said Derek. “I’m unsure if they’ll be fit for Saturday or not but we’ll just see what it’s like Friday before we travel.  They haven’t been as bad as you can expect: sometimes a scan can come back and rule them out for a long period of time. We’re hopeful that’s not the case.”