For the Boss

Derek brought the Irish midfielder to Home Park shortly after becoming manager in the summer of 2015, with the pair having previously enjoyed working together at Ross County.

Graham has been a key player for the Pilgrims since, scoring 24 goals, playing a crucial part in many more, and winning the club’s Player of the Season award for the last campaign, which ended in play-off heartache at Wembley.

“One of the main reasons why I came to the club was because I’ve played for him before and he really gives me a lot of confidence and lets me play with a lot of freedom,” said Graham, who scored and assisted in Argyle’s 2-0 victory at Mansfield that saw them maintain a comfortable second place in Sky Bet League Two with ten matches of the season to play.

“Once I work hard off the ball, he pretty much gives me a licence, not to do whatever I want, but to roam and get on the ball. 

“It is always great when the manager and staff back you and hopefully, we can repay him because he has done a great job over the last two years and now we just need to kick on and get promotion. 

“That has been the goal for the last two seasons and hopefully we can finish the job off for him.”

Graham also appreciates Derek’s backroom staff: assistant manager Craig Brewster and coach Paul Wotton, the last Argyle captain to lead the Pilgrims to promotion.

“The combination of our backroom staff is great,” said Graham. “The combination of experience and youth, in Wottsy – who has played at a great level and knows what it is like to get promoted – is important.

“The gaffer, as well, knows what it is like to get promoted. To have them in the dressing-room is a great bonus.”