It's almost here!

The two derbies against our neighbours Leeds were probably the first fixtures fans looked out for when the list was released in the close-season.

Brian McDermott brings his side to our place this Saturday, when kick-off is 12.30, while we go to Elland Road on February 1 (white shirts rather than rabbits!).

After a couple of campaigns without Town-Leeds games, our promotion meant the derby resumed last season, this time in the Championship.

One outcome was good, one bad, but happily, neither game was ugly.

We each won at the other’s ground (4-2 to Leeds last December and 2-1 to ourselves in March), but that sums up these kind of games.

They are usually fast and frantic, form can go out of the window, and while it’s a cliche, it’s true – you have to play the game, not the occasion, and it’s often down to holding your nerve.

There’s little to choose between the sides so far this season, and we have another intriguing meeting in store.

Mark Robins has had one taste of the fixture, and he’d love to repeat the win of seven months ago clinched by goals from Neil Danns and James Vaughan which as good as ended Leeds’ hopes of making the play-offs under our old gaffer Neil Warnock.

Brian McDermott is an experienced manager who did a good job with Reading, and while it won’t be easy, we have every reason to be as optimistic about winning as Leeds will be.

I believe they have sold out their allocation, which will make for a great atmosphere once again, and as a player, these games in front of big and noisy crowds are the kind you want to take part in.

I was lucky to be involved in both a Sheffield derby – Wednesday drew 1-1 with United at Bramall Lane in 2000-01 – and the West Yorkshire clash.

We gave Leeds a good game before going down 1-0 in the League Cup at Elland Road in 2004-05, and three seasons later, took a 4-0 hiding there before gaining revenge with a 1-0 win at our ground, when Andy Holdsworth got the crucial goal.

I know how much victory means to everyone involved with the two clubs and hopefully the home fans will be celebrating again in five days’ time.