AS a kid growing up in Salford I was always either outside kicking a ball around or sitting in front of the TV watching football.

I became obsessed with the game at a very young age and used to love watching the big cup finals at Wembley Stadium.

Everything seemed so much bigger and so much more important at Wembley, from the teams lining up to the walk up the steps to lift the trophy.

Many footballers and managers never get to experience a Wembley final, so to be doing so for a second year in a row is unbelievable.

I can assure you, I will be the proudest man in the ground when we walk out there tomorrow to take on Coventry.

Will there be nerves? Yes, but you learn to harness those and use the adrenaline to your advantage.

Will we be ready? Definitely.

I have been very fortunate to work with this set of players this season and everything about them this week tells me they are fully prepared and focused on the game.

We enjoyed a terrific 5-1 win over Bury on Tuesday night when players came into the team and did everything in their power to force their way into the starting eleven.

I thought the attitude and the performance was excellent and now I have the task of picking a side for Sunday.

I know my starting eleven, barring any last-minute injuries, and obviously there will be some difficult conversations with those who miss out.

Fortunately, the culture we have within the dressing room means I am dealing with great pros who will understand the football reasons for the selection.

I am sure they will be disappointed, but I also know they will be there geeing up the players and doing all they can to help us win the game.

We start as favourites, but that counts for nothing in my eyes.

The first time either club went to Wembley was in the 80s when Oxford were underdogs against QPR and Coventry were given little chance against Spurs.

Form and reputation go completely out of the window in a showcase final.

I think it will be open and exciting to watch, and will open up the longer it goes.

Last year we had a good day out, but this time we mean business.

The day flies past, but I want to try to take it all in a lot more tomorrow.

I want everyone to have a day to remember, and the best way to make that happen is to win the game.

SUNDAY is not the only big match this week.

Tuesday’s win against Bury leaves us four points outside the play-offs and on Wednesday we welcome Fleetwood Town to Grenoble Road.

We know that teams around us can edge further away today, but once the dust settles at Wembley our season comes down to just six games – three at home, three away.

Sunday’s final is massive for us, but so is Wednesday.

I hope to see as many of you as possible at both games.