'It's how you cope with Wembley' - Posh hero Halsall
Mick Halsall has coached at clubs including Walsall, Wolves, Notts County, Coventry and West Bromwich Albion since hanging up his boots
- Published
Peterborough United's chances of retaining the Vertu Trophy against favourites Birmingham City could hinge on how their young players handle the occasion in Sunday's final, according to Wembley winner Mick Halsall.
Halsall captained Posh in 1992 when they beat Stockport County in the Third Division play-off final at the old Wembley but knows Darren Ferguson's young side have a tough task ahead of them against Blues.
"I hardly got a kick in that game but it was about getting over the line and no doubt the lads will be thinking the same on Sunday," the 63-year-old told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
"It was absolutely amazing and it was [the same] for the next few weeks. When we could celebrate out among the special fans in Peterborough it was a special day. It meant everything to the fans and hopefully they can do the same on Sunday.
"It's how you cope with the occasion. They are a young side and you hope they won't be overawed by it."
Kwame Poku scored in Peterborough's 2-1 defeat to Birmingham in a 'rehearsal' for Sunday's EFL Trophy final
Peterborough's build-up to the big game was heavily hampered by a 4-0 thrashing by Northampton Town last weekend, before a narrow defeat in Tuesday's league meeting with Birmingham.
Halsall, who played for Birmingham early on in his career, thinks the league meeting won't have an effect on the big day at Wembley and hopes the holders can lift the trophy for a third time.
"I started my career at Birmingham and I am very torn," he said. "They are in a fantastic place so it will be tough for Peterborough.
"Will the league game play a part in what happens on Sunday? I'm not sure it will but Darren Ferguson could probably have done without it.
"It's a cup for League One and Two clubs so why not try and win it? It would be a fantastic achievement for them and to get a trophy would be fantastic.
"I hope it's a great game for both sets of fans."