Chris Wilder will lead out his Oxford United team at Wembley tomorrow fully believing in them as a group.

He is more than happy with all departments in his team, and with those on the bench who can come on and make an impact.

From goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, to centre forward James Constable, there are players who can and do rise to the occasion.

And there’s the balance too, of energy and experience, graft and flair.

He’s already talked in glowing terms of his front three, James Constable, Jack Midson and Matt Green, who have hit 48 goals between them this season. But he has great confidence in the other departments too – the keepers, defence and midfield.

The U’s boss believes Billy Turley had helped No 1 Ryan Clarke reach the heights he has this campaign.

“I think we’ve been blessed with two of the best keepers in the league – and don’t under-estimate the competition that Billy’s given Ryan,” he said.

“It was something we identified at the start of the season. I think goalkeeper is a really important position and I’ve been delighted with Ryan, who’s been first class all season.

“It was a difficult decision to make (to opt for Clarke as first-choice), but when the opportunities have come for Billy, he’s taken them, as proved in the Wrexham game, so we’re fairly strong in that department.”

Clarke is someone who exudes authority and calmness under pressure.

“That’s his personality,” he says. “He does all the fundamentals right and his personality is that of someone calm who goes about his business with very little fuss.

“I’ve always thought he should be playing at a higher level, and we were fortunate to spot him through the work we did and get him.”

In defence, United have strong centre backs, and, in Damian Batt and Anthony Tonkin, full backs who are very comfortable on the ball and good going forward.

“I want my full backs to join in and get forward,” Wilder said.

“They’re very good 1 v 1 defenders and, at times, they don’t need a lot of protection because they’ve got the pace to get themselves out of situations.

“First and foremost they’re good defenders and their quality on the ball drives us forward. I’ve been delighted with both.

“I think Jake (Wright) has been superb ever since he’s come through the building, and Creights (Mark Creighton) has come back into a bit of form.

“And it’s understandable that players have a bit of a dip. Rhys (Day) did well when he came in, so the competition in that position’s been really good. But these two have been really solid in the last six weeks.”

In midfield, Dannie Bulman and Simon Clist have shown great consistency, and Wilder says he’s been delighted too with the way Adam Chapman has shown what he’s capable of.

“Chappy had a difficult start, but he’s come in and taken his opportunity,” he said.

“He was always a player who had a lot of quality and he was just a touch inconsistent, but he’s come in, benefitted from having a run in the side, and been excellent.

“He’s one that’s going to go on, hopefully, and mature, and be an even better player.

“The two others have been solid all season. They just get on with it, graft and compete, have got plenty of energy, and they can play at times.

“We try and keep possession in the middle of the park and create, rather than bang it forward, and Clisty and Dannie have got good qualities which go unnoticed.

“They’re not headline-makers, but you need players in your side where you know what you’re going to get, especially in this league.”

It was one of the beaten Rushden team who admitted they struggled to keep up with Oxford United’s energy in the semi-final.

Said United’s boss: “I think we’ve got good desire, we’ve worked hard all season and we like to get on top of teams and wear them down.

“We’re a fit side and we can match any side in terms of our energy levels – and they’re going to be really important on Sunday.”