RETIRING Widnes captain Terry O'Connor is confident he can help his hometown club into Super League - with fellow old-timers holding the key to promotion glory.

The 34-year-old prop says the big-game experience of himself, Barrie McDermott and Mick Cassidy, as well as former top-flight regulars Dennis Moran and Mark Smith, should ensure the pressure stays on their rivals and not them.

"I'm happy for everyone to keep talking Hull KR up," O'Connor said. "Let them have all the expectation and pressure.

"We all know what's at stake but I think that's where the lads at Widnes have got one over Leigh and Hull KR.

"We've got players who have played in plenty of big games and know what to expect and how to cope with the pressure.

"The key is to relax and enjoy the situation.

"The trap door is opening above us and, for some of us, it's sinking in that this is now or never and so we've got to make sure we don't slip up".

O'Connor remains adamant he won't be tempted into reversing his decision to hang up his boots this autumn or move into coaching having witnessed first hand the real pressure coaches face.

"I'm definitely, 100 per cent retiring after this," he said. "When I signed from Wigan I said it would be my last year but after relegation I wanted to help them back up.

"But I'm 35 in October and my body's had enough - the only rugby I'll be playing is for an over 35s union team at inside centre!

"As for coaching, it's not something I've ever wanted to get in to. I played under eight coaches at Wigan and two here and the job is not for me.

"I've seen Steve (McCormack) come in for some unfair criticism this season so I know how demanding it is.

"Bad performances are the players' fault - we're not coached to knock-on or miss tackles.

"I've been a fan all my life and I've never understood what booing achieves.

"The fans were fantastic against Leigh and at Oldham - they made a real difference and hopefully we've turned a corner in time for the last few games."