Plymouth manager Derek Adams removes ball boys with 10 minutes to go after returning ball too QUICKLY
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE manager Derek Adams has defended his decision to remove ball boys and girls from the side of the pitch – as they were returning the ball too QUICKLY.
The Scottish boss, who sees his side second place in League Two, ordered the bizarre act in the final 10 minutes of their 2-0 win over their promotion rivals Carlisle on Saturday.
Derek Adams has controversially removed ballboys in the last 10 minutes of the Carlisle winGetty Images
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The young ball boys and girls left their posts at the side of the Home Park pitch for the closing stages because Adams felt they were reacting too quickly as his side tried to defend their lead.
It did not affect the result, as goals from Graham Carey and Jake Jervis saw them go seven points clear of Carlisle in third place in the automatic promotion spots.
Adams has defended the bizarre act as they are in ‘a big business’PA:Press Association
But Adams has no problems with his perceived act of gamesmanship, as he believes it is part of making home advantage count in the cutthroat world of football.
Ball boys were reportedly giving the ball back too quickly for the liking of AdamsGetty Images
When asked about the removal of ball boys, he told the Plymouth Herald: “That depends how quickly they are retrieving the ball.
“If they are retrieving it too quickly then they get removed.
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Plymouth still won the game thanks to a goal from Graham Carey (pictured) and Jake JervisGetty Images
“On Saturday the ball was getting moved too quickly and there was no need for it.
“Some grounds don’t have any ball boys or girls. We have just got to realise the situation we are in.
Adams added: “If the game is stopped for five seconds it makes a difference. If you are winning it allows people to get back into shape.
“If you are losing and the ball-boy gets it back in quickly then you can get the game moving.
Kelly pushed the Plymouth ballboy over last month leading to him getting a six game ban
“We go to some grounds away from home and there are towels around the edge of the pitch for players to take long throw-ins. It’s the same both ways.”
Orient’s Kelly has been given a six-game ban after shoving a ball boy leading to a huge confrontation with Plymouth players and supporters last month.
The O’s midfielder was handed the punishment from the Football Association after shoving 17-year-old Jake McClean to the ground during the League Two clash, which Orient won 3-2.
The incident was not spotted by the match officials, but Plymouth reported him to the FA, and an investigation led to him receiving the hefty punishment.
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