Shaun Hutchinson and Jimmy Abdou have both been previewing our trip to Wembley to face Bradford City in the League One Play Off Final.
Looking to win promotion back to the Championship in front of more than 50,000 fans on Saturday afternoon, centre half Hutchinson believed it would be the fine margins that made the difference in the tie.
Speaking to the official site as we gear up for the Final, he explained.
‘It will be a close game and it’s one that a lot of people can’t call. I think there will be two quite nervy sides out there at Wembley, that’s only natural in such a high-stakes game. But you can control nerves and you can control excitement and that’s probably going to be the main factor, which team can compose themselves the best and just play their normal game with confidence.’
Having scored the last gasp winner against Bristol Rovers on the final day of the regular season cementing our place in the Play Off spots, Hutchinson also knew that never say die attitude would be key to seeing the weekend’s clash out.
‘The reason why we are both in the Final is because we are good enough to be here and both good enough to get the result. It will come down to which team wants it more, winning the individuals battles and fighting for ninety minutes. We are two completely different, but very equal sides. I think we are a bit more direct than they are at times but it is a very level playing field and that’s why it’s going to be an exciting match.’
As for Abdou, having spent most of the campaign waiting to be called upon, he knew he and the team would be ready to fight and he’d been pleased with his efforts against Scunthorpe United in the Semi Final stage.
‘It’s been a tough season for me. I haven’t played too many games this season but I have been keeping fit and am always ready when the manager needs me. He called me back into the team and I did what I needed to do. I worked hard like the rest of the team and we were able to get the job done against Scunthorpe.’
It will be Abdou’s fourth Play Off run during his time at The Den and with almost 350 appearances to the 32 year olds name, he knew winning promotion back to the Championship would be up their with achievements in his nine years at the club.
‘We have a little bit more time to prepare for this match. Having that extra week will be good for our recovery and we will be as prepared as possible for the Final on May 20. I know Wembley is a very special place. It’s a big game for us and we all want to win because we know what it’s like to lose at that stadium.’
He went on to add.
‘Last year we lost to Barnsley at that was hard, really hard to take. Thankfully we have another chance this year and we’re going to do everything we can to go one step further. Bradford are a big club and a good team. This season they made it hard for us and we drew both games but we are ready for the fight.’
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