Darren Moore has already settled the big Sheffield Wednesday debate ahead of Sunderland showdown

This is it. There is no turning back now.

A place in the League One play-off final is on the line for Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday. Who will hold their nerve over the next couple of days?

A hostile, partisan crowd of over 40,000 is expected to pack out the Stadium of Light for the first leg of the tie this evening. Both matches are likely to be played in ferocious atmospheres.

Alex Neil coy over Nathan Broadhead injury as Sunderland boss makes Barry Bannan prediction

But regardless of what happens against the Black Cats, the Owls have shown they are on the right lines. There is hope and optimism again around Hillsborough. The signs are that happier times are just around the corner.

A year ago Wednesday suffered the ignominy of relegation to the third tier after a 3-3 draw at Derby County. The Owls were a club in freefall. A shambles on and off the pitch.

But Darren Moore and his coaching staff have stopped the rot. They have steadied the ship and got the club back on track.

"He has done a fantastic job," said defender Liam Palmer. "When we went away to Wales (for pre-season), I think we had eight or nine of the youth team there at that time.

"From where we were then to where we are now is a massive step in terms of calibre of player and what he has ingrained in us as a squad.

"Everything he has tried to implement, the lads have bought into. As a manager, you can't ask anymore than that.

"As a player to manager, I have not got enough nice words to say about him as a person and the job he has done up to now.

"The motivation for us is a moving target now that we have secured the play-offs. The next target is to get Wembley. It is something us and the manager will be desperate to do."

Occasions like tonight