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Derek Adams feels big-game experience helps Plymouth

Experience will be a key factor, says Pilgrims boss

Derek Adams celebrates after the Sky Bet League Two Play Offs Second Leg match.
Image: Derek Adams: Highlighted his players' big-game experience

Derek Adams believes his Plymouth players will not be fazed by the big occasion when they face AFC Wimbledon in the Sky Bet League Two play-off-final.

More than 33,000 Pilgrims fans have snapped up tickets for Monday's trip to Wembley, hoping to see their side return to the third tier of English football for the first time in five years.

Manager Adams is confident there is enough experience within his squad to make it a day to remember.

"A lot of them have played on the big stage before," Adams told the club website.

"Gregg Wylde has played in front of 50,000 people in Old Firm games, Graham Carey has played in big matches, Jake Jervis has played in big matches, and Luke McCormick.

"We have got a squad that are capable and have played on the bigger stage. I think that is important."

Adams guided Argyle to fifth place in the league, their highest finish since they dropped out of League One in 2011 after suffering back-to-back relegations.

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The Scot is aware of what victory would mean to supporters of the Devon side but insists the final must be treated in the same way as any other match.

He added: "We don't think it is just another game, it is a game that the winners go into League One. But we try to prepare as if it is another game because that is what we have done for the majority of the season.

"It is slightly different just because the media coverage is bigger. Otherwise though, from a coaching point of view, we have gone about things in a similar fashion.

"We are fully focused on the game."

We try to prepare as if it is another game because that is what we have done for the majority of the season.
Derek Adams

The Plymouth players were given a few days off following their last-gasp victory over Portsmouth in the semi-final second leg on May 15.

Adams feels the break will have a positive impact on the outcome of the final.

"It is important that we had a few days off because of the magnitude of the victory against Portsmouth," he said.

"We are trying to get the players ticking over before the game on Monday.

"We are just looking forward to the day. It is an important day for the staff and the football players. It is our livelihoods as well and we are going there to work and get in the league above.

"Thirty-four thousand tickets have been sold so that tells you that the whole area is with us and people are coming back from all over the world because they want to see their team - Plymouth Argyle - doing well."

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