SAM Allardyce is not expecting to enjoy the play-off experience - whatever the outcome.

"If any manager tells you he enjoys the play-offs, he's lying," the Wanderers' boss said as preparations began in earnest for Sunday's game at the Hawthorns - the first of a two-leg duel for a place in the Millennium Stadium Final on May 28.

"Even if you win, you can't say you enjoy them. You're just relieved they're over - it's a feeling of release not joy."

Allardyce, who still bears the scars of last season's controversial exit at Ipswich, is no fan of the current system, which gives the team finishing third in the regular season - in this case Wanderers - no advantage over the team that finishes sixth (West Brom ended 13 points adift). He advocates a system which would give the team finishing third an automatic place in the final.

In any event, he sees the games as tense affairs that are as much a test of nerve and character as they are of quality.

"It's never mattered to me which way they come around," he says. "Ipswich finished well above us in the league last season but we outplayed them over the two legs.

Play-off games are just so unusual. They are unique - indidscribable in football terms. They're huge affairs, full of apprehension, tension and nerves.

"And you need to have a good slice of luck too!"

If experience helps, Wanderers should have the edge with a number of the squad going into their third play-offs in successive years. Others - Colin Hendry for instance - have a welath of experience at previous clubs.

Allardyce hopes that will give them the edge but adds to the "lottery" theory by admitting: "It's not normal football and it's not a normal atmosphere you're going into.

"You've just got to make sure you minimise you're own mistakes, capitalise on the opposition's mistakes and be clinical when the chances come.

"It's just as important not to lose your cool. You need to keep a calm and collected head. If you can do that you're well on the way to getting what you want."

Wanderers do not expect to have Paul Warhurst (hamstring) or Nicky Summerbee (shoulder) available for Sunday but Hendry and Ian Marshall, who picked up rib and groin injuries respectively in Sunday's home draw with Sheffield United are expected to get the all clear.

Hendry will have to rely on Scottish FA officials arguing his case when his appeal against his six-match international ban is heard by a FIFA panel in Switzerland next Thursday - the day of the second leg of the West Brom tie at the Reebok.

FIFA have refused to reschedule the appeal against the ban imposed for violent conduct against San Marino's Nicola Albani. Play-offs still haunt Sam SAM Allardyce is not expecting to enjoy the play-off experience - whatever the outcome.

"If any manager tells you he enjoys the play-offs, he's lying," the Wanderers' boss said as preparations began in earnest for Sunday's game at the Hawthorns - the first of a two-leg duel for a place in the Millennium Stadium Final on May 28.

"Even if you win, you can't say you enjoy them. You're just relieved they're over - it's a feeling of release not joy."

Allardyce, who still bears the scars of last season's controversial exit at Ipswich, is no fan of the current system, which gives the team finishing third in the regular season - in this case Wanderers - no advantage over the team that finishes sixth (West Brom ended 13 points adift).

He advocates a system which would give the team finishing third an automatic place in the final. In any event, he sees the games as tense affairs, as much a test of nerve and character as they are of quality.

"It's never mattered to me which way they come around," he says. "Ipswich finished well above us in the league last season but we outplayed them over the two legs.

"Play-off games are just so unusual. They are unique - indidscribable in football terms. They're huge affairs, full of apprehension, tension and nerves.

"And you need to have a good slice of luck too!"

Experience

If experience helps, Wanderers should have the edge with a number of the squad going into their third play-offs in successive years. Others - Colin Hendry for instance - have a wealth of experience at previous clubs.

Allardyce hopes that will give them the edge but adds to the "lottery" theory by admitting: "It's not normal