Nottingham Forest must keep a lid on any nerves if they are to triumph at Wembley on Sunday, according to former defender Michael Dawson.
The Reds take on Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-offs final, with the prize of playing Premier League football up for grabs. But the occasion also comes with plenty of pressure and expectation.
Forest have had experience of being in the spotlight this season, particularly with their brilliant FA Cup run. But facing the Terriers under the arch, with the prospect of ending the club’s 23-year exile from the top-flight, will be a completely different scenario.
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Dawson has been in that kind of situation, with Hull City. And the Reds fans’ favourite says his old club must keep their emotions in check.
"There will be nerves,” said the 38-year-old, who was promoted via the play-offs with the Tigers. “Everyone always asks if you enjoy it, but I thought the interview Steve Cook gave after the semi-final (penalty shootout win over Sheffield United) was exactly right, talking about how his legs had gone.
"You can't enjoy those games until afterwards. You honestly can't.
"The players realise what this game means to them - individually, collectively and for the football club. Steve Cooper will be trying to take that pressure off them.
"I experienced it in 2016. You just say, 'look, go out and keep doing what you've done all year, make everyone proud - your families, friends and the fans'.
"The Forest fans are incredible. They could have filled Wembley on their own; that's how they are. They are going to create a great atmosphere. Hopefully the lads turn up and perform.
"Huddersfield finished higher in the league, so it's not going to be an easy game. They know that. But it's a one-off game. It can be fine margins.
"You talk about everything that's gone in the season, and people bigging up how good they've been, but it's about those 90 minutes. You need your big players to turn up.
"They have to cope with the pressure and make sure they don't make any mistakes early on in the game, because that breeds momentum. And then when you get chances, you have to take them.
"Everyone will be talking about it - pundits, ex-players, media. But there's only the people in that dressing room who can control their emotions and control the game.
"It's only when you've finished and you've hopefully been successful that you appreciate it.
"Football is special; the nights and the atmosphere, the buzz and adrenaline you have around these games. You have to try to enjoy them, because when you get older and you retire, you probably look back and think 'ah, I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have because of the pressure surrounding that game'. That's just how it is.
"Hopefully they get the job done. I wish them so much luck.”
