mawspurs
14-05-2010, 12:55 PM
Source: Official Site
Jon Obika has swapped a relegation fight for dreams of Wembley and promotion.
The young striker was on loan at Yeovil in League One last season and scored goals in crucial wins against Swindon, Northampton and, ironically, Millwall - goals that ultimately helped the Glovers avoid the drop.
Now he's at Millwall preparing for the League One play-off semi-finals against Huddersfield on Saturday and Tuesday.
The winners will face Charlton or Swindon at Wembley on Saturday week, May 23, for a place in the Championship.
Jon has scored two goals during his loan spell at the Lions - one a vital equaliser against, who else, Yeovil - and has made 12 substitute appearances.
"I've never been involved in a promotion push, so it's been a new experience for me and I'm really excited," said Jon, 19, who made his first-team debut in the UEFA Cup back in November, 2008.
"It's do or die stuff and lots of pressure. Huddersfield are a good team and the manager, Lee Clark, drums into the players to stay compact and work hard.
"The team is fighting hard to get to Wembley and to get promoted so we have to focus on the first job and that's to try and beat Huddersfield over two legs."
Jon described it as a ‘different pressure' to fighting against relegation with Yeovil.
"I loved my time at Yeovil, especially when myself and Andros (Townsend) first went there and we managed to stay up but this is a new experience," he said.
"It's a different pressure and there is so much riding on these games. We have to be prepared mentally and physically.
"I prefer the pressure of going for promotion rather than relegation but the disappointment is just as great if you miss out, especially if you lose at Wembley.
"We just have to be focused on the next game and hope we make the first step to Wembley."
Jon Obika has swapped a relegation fight for dreams of Wembley and promotion.
The young striker was on loan at Yeovil in League One last season and scored goals in crucial wins against Swindon, Northampton and, ironically, Millwall - goals that ultimately helped the Glovers avoid the drop.
Now he's at Millwall preparing for the League One play-off semi-finals against Huddersfield on Saturday and Tuesday.
The winners will face Charlton or Swindon at Wembley on Saturday week, May 23, for a place in the Championship.
Jon has scored two goals during his loan spell at the Lions - one a vital equaliser against, who else, Yeovil - and has made 12 substitute appearances.
"I've never been involved in a promotion push, so it's been a new experience for me and I'm really excited," said Jon, 19, who made his first-team debut in the UEFA Cup back in November, 2008.
"It's do or die stuff and lots of pressure. Huddersfield are a good team and the manager, Lee Clark, drums into the players to stay compact and work hard.
"The team is fighting hard to get to Wembley and to get promoted so we have to focus on the first job and that's to try and beat Huddersfield over two legs."
Jon described it as a ‘different pressure' to fighting against relegation with Yeovil.
"I loved my time at Yeovil, especially when myself and Andros (Townsend) first went there and we managed to stay up but this is a new experience," he said.
"It's a different pressure and there is so much riding on these games. We have to be prepared mentally and physically.
"I prefer the pressure of going for promotion rather than relegation but the disappointment is just as great if you miss out, especially if you lose at Wembley.
"We just have to be focused on the next game and hope we make the first step to Wembley."