Adams urges Pompey players to stand up and be counted

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He will urge them to seize the moment as he knows better than most that opportunities to play in the final are generally strictly limited.

In his role as assistant to Harry Redknapp at Fratton Park, he is keen for Portsmouth's players to seize the best chance they are ever likely to have to lift the famous trophy.

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"Lineker's goal killed us, we were in the game until then," recalls Adams of Arsenal's 1991 semi-final defeat to arch rivals Spurs – a game best remembered for Paul Gascoigne's magnificent 35-yard free-kick.

"Patrick Vieira gave the ball away", is how Adams — an FA Cup winner on three occasions - remembers the build up to Ryan Giggs's stunning solo winner in extra-time for Manchester United in 1999.

True, for Adams there is nothing like the pain of losing in the final as was the case against Liverpool in 2001.

But defeat in the semis brings it own brand of disappointment which he is keen for Portsmouth's players not to experience.

"I said to the guys the average professional footballer's career at the top level is six years so you get six attempts," said Adams.

"If you're at a top club or lucky to have a long career you might have more, but realistically you have six attempts.

"Herman Hreidarsson is coming up 33, Papa Bouba Diop is 29 and David James, who missed out to Chelsea when he was with Villa, is 38. There's only so many chances you get so you have to make the most of them.

"I told them that before the Man United game: make sure you have no regrets because you are a long time retired. Losing semis? Yes they hurt, but the final is the loneliest place in the world.

"Semi-finals it's a case of never up, never in, you might as well get beat in the third round, it's irrelevant. We lost in the semi in 1991, lost in the third round in 1992, so what's the difference? We won it in 1993, and that is the only place to be."

The FA Cup Final is a place Harry Redknapp has never been, either as a player or a manager. But Adams can think of no manager more deserving of a second trip to Wembley this season than his boss.

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"When I see Harry he reminds me of people like Ron Greenwood, Dave Sexton and John Lyall," said Adams before drawing a comparison closer to home. "He's a bit like my dad to be honest — he was an East End man like Harry."

"Harry has some influences from those guys, people who wanted to play football. He watched the old Arsenal team of Joe Baker and Don Howe. He likes good footballers.

"When he works I can see Ron Greenwood in him. All managers are very different, they have strengths and weaknesses, but what a manager has to have is the ability to spot a player and he can do that. It's nine tenths of the job."

For now, Adams is content to pitch in with what remains of the job as part of 'Harry's Team'.

But despite having suffered a difficult start to his managerial career with Wycombe Wanderers, Adams admitted he is likely to have a second bite of the cherry.

"Do I want to be a manager? I guess so," he says. "But it's about a team these days, it's a big job for one man. One day if I get the right club."