Tony Adams will attempt to win what he hopes will be the first of many awards for coaching when Pompey trot out at Wembley in their bid to lift the FA Cup.

But he's admitted that for games like these, he misses the thrill of playing.

The Pompey assistant manager said: 'Of course I wish I was playing.

'But the second best thing is inspiring other people to go and do it and that's hopefully what I'm doing.

'It's not frustrating, it's just different. I'd rather be playing, but I can't and that's okay.

'Those days are gone for me. I did my bit, I enjoyed it and I've got no regrets, but you move on.

'I often still get the urge to play. If it was Rochdale away, I might not fancy that, but the FA Cup final, I think I could handle that!'

As a player, the former Arsenal centre-back lifted the trophy three times – but also experienced the pain of a final defeat.

And Adams admits a runners-up medal is little consolation – even suggesting Arsenal's famous shock third-round defeat to minnows Wrexham was easier to accept.

He said: 'It's only special when you win.

'When I lost against Liverpool, it was horrific – it was the worst feeling in the world.

'People talk about the Wrexham game to me, but when you're out, you're out.

'I'd rather go out in the third round than lose in the final.

'Going so close and seeing your opponents walking round with the FA Cup was horrific.

'That was my experience anyway. It's all very well talking about the day out, but it's spoiled if you lose.'

Adams, meanwhile, has urged the Pompey players to make the most of their chance to write their names in Fratton Park folklore, believing this opportunity may not come up again.

He said: 'It's our chance to make some history and a lot of these guys won't get another opportunity to do that.

'They need to grasp it because it won't come along too often.

'I've been telling them what it will be like and not to waste this fantastic opportunity.

'I want to help as much as I can and if I can do that with a few words, some tactics or the right preparation, I'm happy with that.'