IT’S good to be back home again today when we welcome Bristol Rovers to Grenoble Road.

It is going to be a big week for us with two back-to-back home games – Rovers today then Sheffield United on Tuesday.

We get a chance to gain a little bit of revenge over both of those clubs, having lost the away games despite both being very close.

I think most fans would agree we are a very different side now.

Part of that is a physical change.

We have brought in good players who have strengthened the squad such as Marvin Johnson plus the loan pair of Toni Martinez and Conor McAleny.

Not only are they good players, but they are also good characters.

We always do our homework and talk to a lot of people about the work ethic and what potential signings are like off the pitch because that is a key component.

The other big change is just the confidence that the players are showing at the moment.

It is an almost unshakeable belief in each other and in what they are doing.

Most of you will have seen the semi-final win over Luton on Wednesday night and the way we got pegged back to 2-2 after leading 2-0.

I am telling you that a lot of teams might have wilted under that pressure.

Kenilworth Road is a tough place to go and win and with the weight of expectation on their shoulders it might have been easy for some players to start getting anxious and let the home side dominate.

I am very proud of the way that we stayed so positive and kept going forward to try and win the game.

It took a superb strike from Marvin to win it. But the key thing really was mental strength and the confidence that our form has given us.

But never confuse that with arrogance. You’ll struggle to find a more humble group of players.

But when you know you are playing well, when you know the lads at the back are defending for their lives and when you know you have match-winners all over the pitch then you get a spring in your step and an extra yard.

Football has a great way of smacking you on the backside if you get carried away.

We are aware of that and will give Rovers every respect today, but we can’t wait to play games at the moment and we look forward to seeing a big crowd this afternoon.

ALTHOUGH it is great to reach Wembley, we have parked that for a while to concentrate on the league.

The one thing I want to ask is for people to forget the politics and get behind the players.

Last season was almost a celebration of everything that is great about Oxford United and we want to fill Wembley and hopefully win it this time.

The club has made its stance clear, they have listened to fans and won’t be voting for B teams.

Reaching a final is a massive achievement.

Oxford have only got to Wembley four times in their history, so I would urge everyone to be there and enjoy the day.