Preview: Dons at Fleetwood on Saturday
Jon Meades believes that Neal Ardley’s men can take encouragement from their last meeting with Fleetwood Town as they prepare to take on the automatic promotion contenders.
Wimbledon secured a 2-2 draw at home to the Cod Army in November with Uwe Rosler’s side battling back with a stoppage time goal after Dean Parrett’s goal had looked like earning the three points.
Of course, Wimbledon go into tomorrow’s match buoyed by an impressive midweek victory against Milton Keynes.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Jon said: “Fleetwood are second at the moment and doing really well so it is going to be a really tough game. When we played them at our place we showed that we could match them, I think we had a few injuries on that day as well. They are on a really good run at the moment, but we are high on confidence so let’s see if we can match them by getting a positive result.
“It was a fantastic evening on Tuesday for everyone involved with the club. I just think that it could not have gone any better. The result was the most important thing and we got that, but the boys showed with the performance how much it meant to everyone. It was an incredible night with a great atmosphere created by the fans and it’s a good way to go into the final stage of the season.”
Having been a part of the Dons side that stayed up so dramatically on the final day of 2012/13 with a win against Fleetwood, Jon is proud to have helped AFC Wimbledon progress so far – and to be back playing again after injury.
“I don’t know where those years have gone! There was a lot of pressure in that game because we knew that we had to win. The other night was different. We knew we could enjoy the match as we went into it already on 47 points and the season had been good up until that point. The fans really lifted us and it was just great to be a part of it.
“Whatever position I play, I am just happy to be back out there. I am looking forward to the nine games we have left. I have been struggling with my ankle all season. I got the injury in pre-season, but I tried to play through it for a while. It got to a point just before the Oldham game when I had to take myself out because it was too sore.
“I came out for a while and had some specialist treatment from an ex-Man United physio up in Crewe. He has been a massive help. I went up there for a two-week period and it was quite intense. I am feeling good at the moment. I am still not 100 per cent, but we are just managing it and hopefully I will be up and running by the end of the season. Then I can go into next season flying again.”
for the full interview with WDON’s Rob Cornell posing the questions. An extensive interview with Neal Ardley is also on our premium channel.Dons PlayerVisit