Randell's Port Vale Reaction
Hollywood promotions are all the rage at the moment, but whatever they have dreamed up in North Wales, all the scriptwriters in Tinseltown and Wrexham combined cannot top how Adam Randell is feeling right now.
Plymouth born, Plymouth bred and with never a thought of being a red, Randell’s childhood featured watching Argyle from the stands and playing for the club’s Under-Whatevers. Persistence, hard work and a handy loan at Torquay United built the midfielder up to the point where he was a viable option for the Greens’ first team.
In 2021/22, a season in which Argyle fell agonisingly short of the Sky Bet League One play-offs, Randell featured in roughly half of the league games, starting eight times. More than a cameo, but not exactly a starring role.
This season, though – the sequel – is another story. From ensemble player to starring role, Randell has shone in the Pilgrims’ midfield this campaign, and on a day when Argyle sealed the divisional title, who better to feature front and centre than Our Rands.
“I'm genuinely speechless,” he said, at one stage during his Argyle TV post-match interview. Permit us, Adam, to write your script.
In a world where Argyle are going for the title, needing a win to ensure the championship, but having fallen behind to an early goal, one man will equalise to set his team on the path to glory…
OK, let’s drop the slightly corny extended metaphor, and spell it out. Randell’s equaliser when Argyle had fallen behind at Port Vale was a crucial one, and it was followed four minutes later by a Joe Edwards goal to turn the game completely on its head.
Finn Azaz scored in the second half to seal the victory, and Argyle were champions, having accumulated 101 points in the season. Cue scenes of euphoria after the game, with few more elated than 22-year-old Adam, having literally the time of his life.
“I can't think that days get a lot better, I'll be honest,” he said, when words began to form.
“It's unbelievable. We've had the best week ever. It'll take some beating. It's just been amazing. It's been absolutely surreal.
“It's just unthinkable at the start of the season. You're feeling positive and you're going into it thinking that you can beat anyone, but to actually achieve it and to do it is another thing. We had the belief the whole time and towards the end of the season you start thinking: ‘we can actually do this.’
“And we did. We've done it. These lads have done so well, I'm thankful to all of them for helping me - and my club.”
As usual, the understated Randell found the words he needed to. Echoing his style of play, he was poised and incisive, and when challenged to pick one word to describe the Argyle side in which he plays, he found the right word as if he was pinging a 30-yard ball into the path of a wing-back.
“Relentless,” he said, nailing it. “The quality and the demands we set for ourselves every day is just top level. I think that's different to what I've experienced previously.
“You are always trying to do your best, but it's just a different level of individual commitment. Everyone's been completely committed to the cause. No one's got ahead of themselves or thought they're too good. Everyone's been completely as one unit, in one thought, all going in the same direction.”
At the head of the table, Steven Schumacher, the Argyle manager who since December 2021 has wowed us all, fans and players alike. In his first full season as a boss, Schumacher has earned a trophy, a medal and the respect of all who play for him, Randell included.
“He's done an incredible job,” said Adam. “He and the backroom staff put all the plans together, we're just the ones that go out and do it. They're the minds behind it.
“He's done amazingly. He's put more effort in than anyone to get us back where we belong.”
There was a curious stat about Adam heading into this game. He had four Argyle goals to his name, three this season, and none had come in an Argyle victory.
This was probably his most understated finish of the quintet of strikes – and it was still a good’un – after goals at Sheffield Wednesday last season, then at Bristol Rovers, Grimsby Town and Lincoln City this time round ended in loss, draw, loss, draw respectively.
A goal at Home Park still awaits, but Randell’s goal at Vale marked the first time he had scored in a win, and talk about timing – it came in a game that will live in Argyle folklore forever.
“It's what you dream about,” said Adam. “It's what you grew up wanting to do. All those hours that have been put in, to have moments like this and to be living in the memory of Argyle fans is just amazing.
“The curse is broken, clearly! What a time to do it! Thankfully the lads scored another couple, because I was half thinking in the back of my mind: ‘Oh no, I've scored!’
“We stuck to it and had a couple of bits of quality to bury the game. I'm buzzing.”
From Academy awards to first-team rewards. We can assure you that we are buzzing for you too, Rands.
