Will Smallbone desperate to get Southampton 'back where they belong'

Southampton face Leeds United in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Promotion back to the Premier League would ensure Southampton achieve their season goal and see Smallbone live out his long-term dream.

The 24 year old was in attendance at Wembley in 2010 when Southampton won the Johnstone Paint Trophy.

He was also there in 2017 when Saints fell to a late 3-2 defeat against Manchester United in the League Cup final.

READ MORE: Southampton FC's 2009-10 Wembley winning side - Where are they now?

Now a regular under Russell Martin, Smallbone admitted that those experiences as a fan have spurred him on to achieve success this season.

Speaking to the Sun, the Republic of Ireland international explained: “It’s a big occasion when you get to Wembley, the fans gathering hours before kick-off.

Will Smallbone spent last season on loan at Stoke City (Image: PA)

"I did it. The tension is building and everyone is nervous, itching for the game to start.

"It’ll be different for me as a player this time but understanding the fans’ point of view of where they’ve been will help spur me on to have a good game and help with the other players.

“It’s something that has driven me this season and to get over the line on Sunday. I remember how big a celebration it was for everybody getting back to the Premier League last time.

"So to do it at the first time of asking would be an unbelievably proud moment for me and everyone connected.

“If you’d have offered us at the start of the season that we’d have one game to win to get there we’d have snapped your hand off."

Having made his debut for Saints while they were still in the Premier League, Smallbone is hungry to bring the club back to the top flight.

On a personal level, he believes he has had a brilliant campaign. He has played 3,199 Championship minutes and been among the goals, scoring seven - the third most at the club.

It was his goal which kickstarted Southampton's 3-1 win over West Brom in the semi-final. He also fired in the winner against Leeds at Elland Road earlier this month.

Will Smallbone, WHAT A STRIKE! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/lASJe6L6ws

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 17, 2024

“I wouldn’t say (I have) nerves. It’s more nervous excitement. I just want the game to start, all week we have been waiting. Once you get there it’s about putting the plan we have worked on all week into place.

“We showed in the last game against West Brom that when we have a plan together then we can go out and deliver it well. I’m sure Sunday will be no different.”

He added: “I was away from the club last year. Coming back in for pre-season, I didn’t know what the future might hold at this club.

"The gaffer was good with me, bringing me back in and playing me as much as he has. I’ve really enjoyed this season. Coming through the academy, you dream about playing as much as you can.

"To have a taste for it this year only makes me want more. Going into Sunday, it would mean a lot to get this club back to the Premier League, where we belong."

Playing at Wembley for his boyhood club would be the realisation of a dream for Smallbone, but he admits he is not thinking about that right now.

Will Smallbone is a boyhood Saints fan (Image: Stuart Martin)

Instead, he is ensuring that his focus remains on the task at hand - getting Southampton promoted, and hopefully scoring his eighth goal of the season.

“It will be a massive day for the fans, but it will also be a massive day for us as players. It will be a proud day for me to play at Wembley," he concluded. 

"When you grow up watching finals you dream about playing at Wembley. I think it will be something that I will look back at in the future more than something now.

"It’s another game for me that I want to win. I want to make sure I put in the best performance I can to make sure we get promoted.

"To get a goal is obviously the aim, but I’d be happy for whoever scores the goal to make sure we go up.”