Full-back says players wanted to put things right
AFC Wimbledon’s second-half fightback at Newport meant a lot to proud Welshman Jon Meades, but he says the Dons must start producing 90 minute performances on a consistent basis.
The Cardiff-raised full-back had friends and family present cheering on Wimbledon at Rodney Parade on Saturday and he was pleased that his side gave the 247 Dons fans something to shout about in the end.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Meades said: “Last week a lot happened and our performance against Stevenage was not good so the boys really wanted to put it right. In the first half that did not work out, but in the second half we showed that we are 100 per cent behind the club and everyone really wants to do well for this club.
“The support of the fans has been magnificent all season and hopefully we can provide what they deserve, which is winning games of football for them. My roots are in Cardiff and I had a lot of friends and family there. Quite a few of them come to home games and they love the club. Hopefully, we can have a successful second half to the season.
“As a team we need to produce that (second-half performance) consistently. In the first half we were not at it and we were a bit sloppy. We did not have the fast tempo that we normally have, which makes us good. There were a few words said in the dressing room at half-time and that really got us going. In the second half it completely changed and it was all us. I think we would have all taken a draw when we were 2-0 down at half-time, but I was a little bit disappointed we didn’t get the win in the end.”
Meades has seen Lyle Taylor’s striking qualities close-up in training and he fully expected the net to bulge when he marched through on goal 10 minutes from time.
“Lyle is a great player and he has played at a higher level,” added Meades. “He scored two really good goals and when I saw him go through one-on-one I thought ‘that’s 2-2’. He does that every day in training. He is a great player to have in the team and hopefully he can produce that more now.”
Picture credit: Stuart Butcher, Pro Sports Images.
The full interview with Jon Meades featured on Dons Player yesterday, along with Neal Ardley's post-match reaction and extended highlights.