West Brom manager Tony Mowbray's decision to quit Hibernian for the Hawthorns will be justified if he leads his side into the Barclays Premiership at Wembley tomorrow.

Mowbray's Albion face Saints' play-off semi-final conquerors Derby in the championship play-off - a game reportedly worth around £60 million to the winners.

Mowbray had two successful years at Hibs but his decision to travel south of the border once more was a gamble that will pay off handsomely for the highly-rated coach if they can overcome Billy Davies' side.

Mowbray is no stranger to the Championship play-off final - he scored for George Burley's Ipswich side in their 4-2 final win over Dave Bassett's Barnsley at the old Wembley seven years ago.

Among Mowbray's colleagues that day were his current Albion assistant, Mark Venus, and Saints midfielder Jermaine Wright.

In the beaten Barnsley side were two ex-Saints - keeper Kevin Miller and striker Neil Shipperley.

Mowbray said: "I left a very forward thinking and positive club in Scotland to come to Albion. Hibs is wonderful club with lots of good players and we'd enjoyed two very good seasons.

"I left and came to Albion because I want to try to manage in the Premier League. Albion very much had the potential to do that, they had a lot good players, a wonderful infrastructure and a big fan base.

"The plan was to come here and try to help the club get back into the Premier League and stay there."

Mowbray says it is important that everyone remains positive going into such an important game.

Mowbray added: "I've been involved as a few (play off games) as a player - four years consecutively at Ipswich. We eventually got the job done and won it at Wembley in 2000.

"All players and managers want to be involved in the big games and feel that knot in their stomachs on the morning of a big match.

"You have got to try to enjoy it. It is over so quickly so you have to soak it up and try to enjoy it.

"The anticipation, the expectation and hope, is heavy on your shoulders. So you have to be positive and go into it with positive thoughts".

Mowbray is to join up with his former Ipswich colleague Simon Hunt, who is currently Saints' chief scout. Former Saints assistant boss John Gorman is replacing him.

Derby boss Davies, meanwhile, has shrugged off comparisons of his management style with that of Sir Alex Ferguson as he looks to plot the next stage of a career that has already earmarked him for greater things.

Davies said: "The comparison is that we come from the same area in Glasgow - Govan. If I could follow in his footsteps it would be absolutely wonderful, but you try to be yourself.

"I am trying to be who I am. I am very ambitious. I have not looked too much beyond the final.

"It has been very buoyant this week but the players know what's expected".