PLAY-OFF PICTURE: The Players

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Last Updated on Thursday, 12 May 2016 16:51

Published on Thursday, 12 May 2016 13:54

Play-offs tend to be a real mixed bag for players.

Promotion at Wembley is something few will forget but the disappointment and pressure of playing one game with the whole season on the line can cause an adverse effect.

Argyle enter this year’s play-offs having lost in last season’s semi-finals and some of the first team offer an insight into what it's like to play in such a pressurised environment. 

Left back Gary Sawyer has previous experience in the play-offs, having been a part of the Leyton Orient side that lost the 2013-2014 League One final on penalties. The 30-year-old shared how past play-off experience will help him and his teammates this time around as well as what the mood in the camp is like having narrowly missed out on automatic promotion. 

"A lot of pressure comes with these games, a lot more than a normal league game. I think if you've been involved in that situation before you know how to deal with and try and get the boys to just relax and take it as a another game because they've done so well in normal games, so there's no need to change anything. Of course we're a bit devastated we haven't gone up automatically but this is what is has to be so we can't sit and cry about it."

Captain Curtis Nelson, 22, skippered the Greens in last season's play-off defeat to Wycombe Wanderers and agreed with Sawyer about the mental approach necessary to win.

"It's going to be similar to last year because we're in the same position and the end goal is still the same. It's two games of football at the end of the day, so you just can’t get too caught up in the moment."

Midfield lynchpin Carl McHugh, 23, has reached the play-offs three times already and was part of a Bradford side that won the League Two play-off final at Wembley in 2013. The Irishman makes it clear experience is vital but also that players relish the chance to be a part of the play-offs. 

"We really look forward to two massive games - it's what we play for all season. We are preparing for two tight, tense games. I think you have to take what you can out of last year, don't get too worked up about it and play the game not the occasion. You've got to focus on getting a positive result in the first game to bring back and give the fans something to shout about." 

The high level of fan interest in play-off games and consequent television demands means play-off fixtures are normally at odd times and Sawyer shared how this slightly alters player preparation. 

"I don't think preparation is technically different but mentally it is. Training-wise it’s going to be a bit different because we never play on a Thursday and have only played once on a Sunday. It is a little bit different because of your training times but it’s another game of football and we know how to prepare. "

Both Nelson and Sawyer have strong personal links to the city they play for and shared how much going up via the play-offs can mean to the players, fanbase and city. 

Sawyer says: "For me, and I'm sure I mirror everyone in the dressing room, its massive for us and the football club to get the club moving back in the right direction and it would be a massive achievement for me personally and all of the boys.

"It is for the fans, the football club is for them and everyone that plays in it knows that. Unfortunately, they've had to endure a bit of hell recently and if we can turn that round for them and put smiles on their faces and get them back where they want to be that would be amazing for us."

Nelson concurs: "It would be unbelievable going to Wembley, the whole experience, it's the national stadium and it's every footballer's dream to play there. Promotion would mean a lot to the club, the fans have been brilliant the last few years through tough times so hopefully we can get back closer to where we need to be."

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