New signing delighted to be back
Jon Meades believes his AFC Wimbledon return will get the best out of him and he is a stronger character after his experience at Oxford United.
The 23-year-old told Dons Player that he is fit and raring to go for a fresh challenge back at Wimbledon after two years that did not quite go to plan at the Kassam Stadium.
"I need to get games under my belt and really progress and I think Neal definitely gets the best out of me,” Jon said. “To be linking up with him again and the coaching staff will be a positive experience.
"It didn't quite work out as planned at Oxford, that's football. I am just focused now on coming back here and finding the form I had when I was here and working towards the top end of the table. I think coming through my experiences at Oxford, but I'm a stronger person. Hopefully now I can have a good pre-season and kick on from my time here and play even better - which I know I can do."
Jon experienced exactly what AFC Wimbledon means to the fans when he helped the club stay up in 2013 and our picture gallery above shows some of his best moments in a Dons shirt. In his previous loan spell here, Jon’s home debut came against Aldershot in November, 2012, and one of the images shows almost a completely different starting 11 from the class of 2015.
Voted as the club’s Young Player of the Year during at the end of that loan spell, Jon knows he will face a battle to be a regular this time around.
“The team has come on in leaps and bounds since I was last here and I know it's going to be tough trying to get back in, but that's what I'm working towards,” added Jon. “I had a few different options, but as soon as Neal was interested my mind was made up. I didn't have to think twice. I've just been waiting to get the deal done."
"I missed the fans, they were amazing to me. I know what a special club it is and how much the fans care, even when going to the bar after games and seeing them all there and how much they enjoy coming to watch.
“Hopefully, I can get my form to where it was and progress and show them what I'm capable of. I'm probably in as good a shape as I've ever been, trimmer than last time, feeling fit and can't wait to get back out on the grass."
The full interview with Jon Meades and an update from Neal Ardley featured on Dons Player yesterday.