WITH just two games left of the season, Tranmere boss Nigel Adkins is hoping his side can remain focused despite having little to play for beyond pride. 

With Rovers well clear of the relegation zone but also short of the play off positions Saturday's home game against AFC Wimbledon presents little more than a test of the squad's attitude as the curtain comes down on a disappointing campaign.

"Our home form has been really good," said Adkins. "We've beaten the teams that have been promoted, we've scored goals and it's been exciting. 

"The flip side of that has been games like the Morecambe game but on the whole our home form has been very good.

"We had a challenge at the start of the season but we hit a rich vein of form over Christmas and the New Year only losing one game in a 12 game block and when we got the team we wanted out we played some good football. 

"It's demonstrated that we can compete with the teams that got promoted and the challenge now is to keep that trend going - from November we would probably be in the play off positions now."

Adkins was full of praise for Rob Apter after he was named the EFL Young Player of the Year for League Two and said he hoped he could keep the winger, who is on loan from Blackpool, next season 

"There are a lot of young players out there who are vying to try and play games and sometimes there's a reluctance to play them," he said. "Sometimes they're not ready yet and they've got to make mistakes and find their way but I would like to think that throughout my career I've taken players on loan at an early age and helped develop them. 

"Over the course of the season we've provided a platform for Robbie to showcase his talents and he's great to watch - I'd pay to watch him!"

"He's well aware we want him to stay at our football club and if a player can find somewhere we he's appreciated and valued then sometimes it's good to stay there." 

As for the threat AFC Wimbledon will pose on Saturday, Adkins has done his homework. 

"They still have a chance of getting to the play offs and we're under no illusions that it will be difficult," he added. "They'll get the ball forward and be very direct and physical and you have to watch the long throw - they have a lad on loan from Crystal Palace who launches it from anywhere so we'll have to get our tin hats on in order to defend it. 

"I'm saying that in a respectful manner because you have to understand the strengths the opposition have got - they're up there for a reason and they're very effective and they do play good football in the right areas of the pitch so it will be a tough game."