Play-off pressure excites Britton

Last updated : 22 April 2010 By BBC Sport

Leon Britton says he would happily take the pressure of Swansea trying to reach the Championship play-offs over the one of staying in the Football League.The midfielder experienced the strain of having to beat Hull on the final day of the 2002/03 season to preserve the Swans' League status - they won 4-2.

"The pressure is completely different to then," said Britton, who is one of two surviving members from that team.

"I would much rather this pressure for these two games any day of the week."

Swansea will claim a play-off place on Saturday if they beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, the team who ended their hopes last season, and Blackpool fail to beat already-relegated Peterborough.

But the Swans will drop out of the top six - where they have been since December - if they lose or draw and Blackpool win going into the final game of the season.

Swansea would then have to beat Doncaster on the final day and hope the Seasiders slip up at home to Bristol City, but the Swans also have the disadvantage of an inferior goal difference which could play a part.

The Swans are finally starting to play like we were last season while not conceding as many. For this reason I'm confident of getting two wins

CleddauJack

"I don't think we're feeling the pressure, I think as a squad we're excited," added 27-year-old Britton, who has made more than 300 appearances since joining from West Ham United in 2002.

"It's two massive games coming up to the climax of the season.

"Obviously there's a bit of nerves going into games like this but I would say it's more commitment than anything else.

"Bramall Lane is always a hard place to go to. Sheffield United are a big club who are always well supported.

"I know their season is over but they are still going to want to put a performance in for their fans for them to go into the summer with a win.

"There's no room for slip-ups because Blackpool are in good form at the moment and we don't want to give anyone the opportunity to try and catch us.

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"We know if we win the next two games, no matter what Blackpool or anyone else around us do, we're going to be in the play-offs."

And Britton, who is out of contract at the end of the season, says the Swans need to look at the pressure as "enjoyment".

"It's a situation where we're trying to get into the play-offs with a chance to get into the Premier League," he added.

"You can understand for the fans that it's a nerve-wracking two matches, but as players we can't worry like that, we have to be professional and remain calm."

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Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport