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A GAME WORTHY OF THE OCCASION: SETH

Posted on: Fri 25 May 2007

Seth Johnson expects the play-off final against West Bromwich Albion to be a spectacle worthy of the occasion.

The Rams face their West Midlands opponents at Wembley for the right to a place in the Premiership next season.

Derby finished one place and eight points above the Baggies in the Coca-Cola Championship but now it comes down to a one-off game on Monday afternoon.

And Johnson believes that it will be an encounter with plenty of quality on show from both sides.

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"You look at the West Brom side and see that they've got a lot of attacking flair and good players going forward," he said in an interview to be screened on RamsWorld this Sunday.

"I think it will be a good game, they have got some great players but we have got to try and impose ourselves on the game and have a real good go at them.

"Even though we know they're a good side going forward we also know that they've got flaws at the back and we've got the players who can hurt them.

"I think it should make for an entertaining game and a good spectacle."

The honours were shared between the two sides this season with each winning their respective home game by a single-goal margin.

West Brom are the bookies' favourites to go up despite trailing Derby for large parts of the campaign and ultimately finishing so far behind.

But Johnson is discounting everything that has happened this season as he prepares for potentially the biggest 90 minutes of his career.

"I think they're a good side and on their day they are as good as anyone in this league," the combative midfielder said.

"They have a strong squad and good players but I think the main thing for them this season has been consistency.

"We have been a bit more consistent than them, hence the league positions and a few more points for us.

"But it's a one-off game and we know that on the day they can come out and turn it on.

"It'll be a real test for us so we've got to make sure we're on our game and perform to the best of our abilities."

Derby will be backed by 33,500 fans in the first Championship final at the new Wembley Stadium, with the same amount cheering on the Baggies at the other end of the ground.

Johnson counts Wembley as an away game but reckons the Rams' followers can make it more like a home occasion.

"I suppose it is an away game though hopefully it should feel like a home game with the amount of fans we'll have down there," said the 28-year-old.

"They'll be taking the same amount of fans as us so it should make for an unbelievable atmosphere, one that both sets of fans are looking forward to.

"It should be a great occasion but we're going down there to win the game."

Johnson's trip to Wembley comes a decade after his one and only appearance at the historic stadium.

As an 18-year-old he came off the bench with 20 minutes to go and helped Crewe Alexandra to win promotion to what was then Division One at the end of the 1996/97 season.

He lived the dream of every young player that afternoon and wants to repeat his success in a Derby shirt.

"As an 18-year-old playing at Wembley it was unbelievable, that's what you've always dreamed of doing as a kid," he said.

"The only other times I've been have been to watch matches - I've seen England a few times, and a few Charity Shield games.

"To play at the new Wembley in the first season it is open is going to be very special.

"It's one we've got to try and enjoy and we'll enjoy it even more if we win."

Watch out for the full interview with Johnson, only on RamsWorld, this Sunday morning.


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