Canaries midfielder shares his Wembley experiences
Ahead of Mondayâs Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough (3pm), canaries.co.uk discussed five key points with Norwich City midfielder Gary OâNeil.The 32-year-old is aiming for his third promotion in four seasons via the showpiece occasion, having previously enjoyed success with West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers.
In 2012, OâNeil started in the Hammers side which edged past Blackpool with a 2-1 victory at Englandâs national stadium.
Last season, the midfielder made the ultimate sacrifice when his tackle just before the hour-mark prevented Derby County striker Johnny Russell from going through on goal.
He was dismissed for the challenge, but Bobby Zamoraâs strike in the final minute of normal time proved enough to secure an invaluable 1-0 win for Harry Redknappâs team.
OâNeil on preparing for Wembley...
âThe lads have been involved in big games before so weâll make sure weâre ready and fully prepared. Once youâve been involved in Premier League matches, this isnât massively different.
"Obviously itâs a lot more intense on the day with the whole season riding on it. Itâs important you donât get caught up in how much it means because it can definitely affect your performance.
"I think I prepared better for the second one, definitely, having already experienced the first one. Iâll try to pass that on to a few of the boys.
"We havenât discussed this one yet. Weâll be preparing later in the week for Middlesbrough, and Iâm sure the gaffer will have a plan as he always does."
OâNeil on Wembley successesâŚ
âIâve never lost when Iâve played there, and I imagine itâs not great to go home as a loser. Hopefully I wonât find out.
âWith West Ham we went there as favourites and just managed to get over the line. Last year we were probably just about the underdogs with Derby going well, and we knew how the game was going to go.
âWe went 4-4-2, and they had an extra man in midfield, so they were going to dominate possession. With two strikers on the pitch, we hoped weâd get a chance.â
OâNeil on âside before selfââŚ
âThere was a lot made of it at the time, but it was just a tackle I felt I needed to make. It resulted in a red card, so hopefully there will be nothing like that this year.
âThe first 60 minutes had gone how weâd expected, and then we were fortunate enough to come through once weâd gone down to ten men.â
OâNeil on facing his former teamâŚ
âTheyâve had a good season, and are a good side who are strong defensively. They donât score many goals but have beaten us twice this year, so hopefully itâs our turn.
âThereâs no extra motivation needed because the hard work of a whole season is riding on 90 minutes. We all want to be in the Premier League.
âTheyâll have the exact same aims as us. Hopefully we can come out on top.â
OâNeil on the Yellow ArmyâŚ
âItâs going to be a fantastic atmosphere because itâs a great day for the fans.
âThere will be an intense feel to it, but the lads will be fine. Itâs going to be tough, but weâve got 90 minutes to get to where we want to be.â