Randell's Exeter Preview

For Adam Randell, a local lad who has spent 13 of his 22 years as a part of Plymouth Argyle, the importance of a Devon derby against Exeter needs no amplification.

Argyle meet Exeter City on Monday for the first time in three years, and for the first time in league action at Home Park in almost six years.

A sell-out crowd will be in attendance, as will the Sky Sports television cameras. All fans know that feeling of nervous excitement going into a fixture like this, and Randell outlined his personal approach to the fixture.

“You don’t want to lose, but you absolutely want to win,” he said. “We want to go out there, put on a show and win the game. It’s obviously got that extra bit of importance, for me and a couple of others in particular, but everyone knows how big this game is going to be, so we’ll be on it.

“I think everyone will know the importance of this game to everyone involved: the fans, the club, the coaching staff. I don’t think it needs to be built up by me. It will be on the day, as per usual, by everyone.

“Everyone will be up for it, although there will be that extra urgency.

“I’m a little bit nervous, a little bit excited. I just can’t wait to get stuck in really. I’m ready to go.”

City head west across Devon just outside the play-off positions, with the Pilgrims having won all eight of their home fixtures so far, most recently a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night.

Randell is hoping that the confidence of playing in front of a supportive Green Army, and the belief that exists in the dressing, can play a part in a positive performance.

“It’s the mental side of things rather than the physical,” said Adam. “The characters in the dressing room are there to stick in and not to give up. You know they are going to keep going until we get back in the game and get the win.

“This year we have had a massive backing from the fans. Hopefully that will work in our favour, we can make it nice and loud.

“Our home form has been unbelievable so far, so we want to keep that up. We’ve shown that even when we go behind, we’ve got the character to come back, even when we’re not playing at our best. Hopefully we won’t go behind, but if we do we’ve got all the confidence in the world to still go and win the game.”