OXFORD United manager Chris Wilder will not be deviating from the personnel or formation that secured a place in tomorrow’s Blue Square Premier play-off final against York City.
Wilder will stick with his tried-and-trusted 4-3-3 system and select the same 11 players that started both legs of the 3-1 semi-final aggregate victory over Rushden and Diamonds.
Reserve goalkeeper Billy Turley is also certain to be joined on the bench by Alfie Potter, Rhys Day and Sam Deering but one substitute’s place appears to be up for grabs.
Left-sided utility man Kevin Sandwith is favoured to get the nod but 38-year-old veteran midfielder Chris Hargreaves also presents a pressing case for inclusion in Wilder’s squad.
Hargreaves scored in the same final last season as he helped Torquay overcome Cambridge United 2-0 and his experience might sway the decision.
Speaking about his plans for Wembley, Wilder said: “I don’t think there are going to be any surprises in the team, or in either team.
“The team has done well in the last two games. They’re all fit and strong and we’ve got options so we’ll do whatever we’ve got to do to win the football match.”
Wilder and his players prepared themselves for the final with a tour of the national stadium yesterday and the former Halifax manager felt that will prove an important aspect of his team’s preparations for the big day.
He added: “We’re all ready. Everybody knows what to expect and what they’re walking into although you can’t replicate what it will be like with 35,000 Oxford fans there.
“We looked around different parts of Wembley just to familiarise ourselves with certain things and the place just inspires you.”
Former U’s manager and current director Jim Smith, meanwhile, emphasised the significance of the game when he added: “It is, without a shadow of doubt, the biggest game in Oxford United’s history.”
Oxford go into the play-off final having won just seven of their last 18 games.
The U’s have, however, only conceded two goals in eight matches.
Tomorrow’s game will be the club’s second Wembley outing, following on from their 1986 League Cup victory when goals from Trevor Hebberd, Ray Houghton and Jeremy Charles secured a 3-0 triumph against QPR.
Match facts
The clubs have met 32 times (24 Football League, eight Conference) of which City have won nine times with eight draws.
Oxford were elected to the Football League in 1962, replacing Accrington Stanley, and the first meeting was on October 26, 1962, when United won 2-1 at Bootham Crescent to record their first away victory in the Football League. Barry Jackson was City’s scorer and in United’s side was Ron Atkinson.
In 1964/5, both clubs won promotion to Division Three and, at Bootham Crescent in front of 8,108, City beat Oxford 2-0 with Andy Provan and Paul Aimson on the scoresheet.
The following term City were relegated and United did the double over them, winning both games 4-1.
In 1975/6, both sides dropped down to Division Three with City winning their home game 2-0 with Barry Swallow and Dennis Wann goals.
The next campaign City completed a double, Tony Young and Jim Hinch scoring in a 2-1 win at York and Brian Pollard and an opponent in a 2-0 victory at Oxford.
The clubs next renewed acquaintance, after a gap of 18 years, in the third tier in 1994/5 when both sides won away from home 2-0. Glenn Naylor and an own goal gave City their win at the Manor Ground.
In February 1996, Paul Barnes was the scorer in a 1-0 home win. It was his last goal for City prior to his transfer to Birmingham City.
In 2001/2, the clubs crossed swords in the basement divison. City drew 2-2 in their first visit to the Kassam Stadium. Graham Potter was the match-winner in the return.
The last Football League meetings were in 2003/4. Both fixtures were drawn. Lee Nogan and Richard Hope scored for City at home.
City have won only won one of the Conference games between the clubs in April 2007, when Neal Bishop netted at Bootham Crescent to clinch a play-off position.
Players who have represented both clubs include John Byrne, Lee Nogan, David Rush, Darren Patterson and recently Craig Farrell, Luke Foster, Chris Carruthers and Craig Nelthorpe.
Managerial links are Denis Smith and Malcolm Crosby, while current City boss Martin Foyle made 126 League appearances for Oxford (1986 to 1991), scoring 36 goals.
It happened on May 16.
1993: In a Division Three (League Two) promotion play-off first leg, City drew 0-0 at Bury. City went on to win the second leg 1-0 and on their first visit to Wembley won promotion by beating Crewe on penalties.
Compiled by David Batters.
Views from U's
Former Oxford United boss Jim Smith: “Martin (Foyle) and the board have done a great job at York and they’ve been to Wembley before in the Trophy final.
“They’re no mugs, know what it’s all about and will make it difficult, but I genuinely believe we’ll have the forward edge on them.”
Right-back Damian Batt: “I didn’t play in the home game with York but, even then, I said to the boys, ‘They’re one of the best teams I’ve seen here’. They’ve got a good squad and it’ll be a really tough game.”
Centre-back Mark Creighton: “Richard Brodie has given a lot of defenders difficulties this season. He’s a great scorer, good player and has got a bit of everything. He and Rankine are both exceptional in this league.”
Fellow centre-half Jake Wright: “The record Brodie’s got is impressive. It’s a lot of goals and Rankine’s a big lad.
“I’ve not played against them this year. All of the York team are good players and we’re going to have to be at our best to make sure they don’t score.”
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