YORKSHIRE DERBY

15,000+ tick. Ta.

Sheffield Wednesday take on Hull today in an all Yorkshire play off derby, at Wembley. Seems a bit strange dragging all those thousands of fans to the south but who cares about having to make the journey to London when there is so much fun to be had (at a price).

Wednesday, once known as just that when the club was first formed, last played in the Premier League in 2000 and after some years "slumming" it in the Championship and below they came a creditable 6th this season.
Hull came nine points higher than Wednesday in the division and both teams drew 1-1 in their two league fixtures this season. "Wisdom and courage".

Hull have a bit of recent history with the national stadium, with various play offs, so Steve Bruce will have his players mentally prepared before this nerve wracking Final. Simple things help, like taking the team to Wembley for a tour before the match, so the players feel comfortable with their "new" surroundings on the actual day. Ian Holloway used to make sure his players knew where their family and friends would be sitting in the stadium, so the players wouldn't fret over not being able to make visual contact with them as they walk out onto the pitch. Simple schemes save energy.

Cracking play offs have graced Wembley in the past with a famous 1993 Swindon Town v Leicester 4-3 (hard to believe that about Swindon isn't it?), 1995 Bolton v Reading 4-3, 1998 Sunderland 4 v Charlton 4 (Charlton win after 13 scored penalties) and 2010 Blackpool 3 Cardiff 2.

Without doubt they raise the level excitement but you have question the way the play offs are sorted. Should Wednesday have found their way into the final considering their final league placing? Brighton certainly think they should have been there instead based on a season's form.

Tomorrow is Barnsley and Millwall; a clash of cultures.