Welshman has high hopes for his second Dons spell
Jon Meades is relishing the opportunity to get his career back on track after a tough two years at Oxford United – and he is prepared for a big battle to get into the team.
Speaking during an interview with Rob Cornell for Dons Player, Meades said he has been hugely impressed by the signings Neal Ardley has made since he was first through the door in June.
And he expects there to be plenty of competition for places during the opening weeks of 2015/16.
“I have not played as much football as I would have wanted in the last two years so I am really excited for every single game coming up this season,” said Meades. “Hopefully, we can be at the right end of the table. The manager said we have nine games in the first six weeks of the season so everyone has to be ready if there are injuries or tiredness. When you play you have to give your best to stay in the team and that is what I will be looking to do.
“We have a really strong squad with a lot of competition for places now. I am not sure where the manager is going with his starting line-up, but if I am not in it I will work as hard as I can to get into the team. I am raring to go and feel really fit. I am injury-free and really looking forward to the season.
“The manager has made six new signings and everyone has interacted really well. We bonded well in La Manga. Paul Robinson has played a lot of games in his career and he is a leader. He will be a good addition. I definitely wouldn’t want to play against our front three. Between them they have got great finishing, power and pace. If we can get them firing on all cylinders we will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Meades added that the management staff had worked tirelessly to implement their ideas during pre-season.
“We are prepping now and going through the team shape so that we can get all the little details right,” added Meades. “We have done a lot of work on the shape and the way that we want to play during the last four or five weeks of pre-season. Our fitness levels are good too and it is just working on the small details up until Saturday.
“We have not been beaten in pre-season and hopefully we can carry that into the Plymouth game and get a win. We have not played the passing football we would have wanted so far, but that will come as we integrate even more. I am really positive going into the new season.”