BEN Wilson admits he was ‘a nervous wreck’ before Coventry City’s final day win against Middlesbrough.
Wilson made his first start for the Sky Blues since October against Boro and inspired City to a vital 2-0 victory.
The goalkeeper made a stunning fingertip save with the game goalless and made another big stop after the break to preserve Coventry’s lead.
And the 32-year-old praised boss Frank Lampard for giving him the opportunity to help the club secure a play-off spot on the final day of the season.
Wilson said: “I think it is fantastic to get the result, to get the clean sheet. It was amazing, I was actually a nervous wreck from the start, obviously I have been out the team for such a long time.
“I have been trying to get back fit, it has been a longer process than what I had thought. I trained hard to be ready for this moment and I thank the gaffer for putting me in.
“Just to be out there and prove I can do it, playing, is so different to training. It was more comfortable out there than it has been in training these last few months.
“It was very scary. Even in the hotel the night before, the lads were like ‘We can tell you are nervous because we have never seen you so quiet.’
“You have just got to remember I have played in big enough games in the last few years, done it all before and I have got enough in front of me to know I am going to be safe, no matter what.”
A brace from Jack Rudoni saw Coventry seal a fifth-place finish and set-up a play-off tie with Wilson’s former club Sunderland
Wilson hopes the Sky Blues will kick on in the play-offs and lauded the club’s fans for supporting the team through their highs and lows this season.
Wilson added: “It was amazing, they sang from minute one all the way through to the 96th minute, or 97th minute because the referee played a little bit too much longer.
“Credit to them, they have supported us from day one of the season when things were not going too well to now.
“We have got in the play-offs which is what they wanted and now we are going to kick on.”
Coventry host Sunderland in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals on Friday, May 9 with kick-off at 8pm at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
