"It's the best way to go up, undoubtedly. It's better than winning the league - I've done that as a manager - but the day you win promotion at Wembley is amazing It's like winning a cup final and promotion all in one."
Tony Mowbray is nothing if not a football romantic and his eyes light up at the mere thought of leading Sunderland to the Promised Land of the Premier League via the play-offs this season. After finishing fifth in League One last term and winning promotion at Wembley, Sunderland have surpassed all expectations in their first season back in the Championship.
No-one expected them to be in the play-off mix, and yet here they are. And while they may be outsiders to secure a second successive promotion, the fact they stand any chance at all is testament to the success of the play-offs as a concept.
