Terell Thomas has drawn strength from our tough start and is aiming to secure many more clean sheets after helping to clinch a point at the weekend.
The centre-back, who overcame an unusual pre-match injury before Saturday’s goalless draw with Wycombe, played his part in a strong defensive display from our back line, which was strengthened by the return to the starting line-up of Captain Will Nightingale.
“Will is a big presence next to me and Paul,” said Terell. “He keeps us in shape and if we drift off from concentrating, he’s always on to us. With his performance as well he leads the way, regardless of his voice at the back.
“Paul (Kalambayi) has made a lot of progress since his debut away at Portsmouth last season. That was big occasion for him, but since then he’s thrived from the opportunity. He doesn’t look at all nervous and he’s stepped into the role really well, showing what he can do and he’s grown in stature.
“Nesta (Guinness-Walker) has come in and done really well. Down that left side he’s good at going forward and got a good cross. I’m not sure I’ve seen him been beaten many times in defensive one-on-ones, so it’s good to have that confidence in left and right backs to be able to deal with tricky wingers."
On his unfortunate pre-match mishap, Terell added: “Before the game I was just about to leave and I thought I’d do the dishes. As I was washing the inside of a glass it broke and I cut my finger! I called up our Physio Stuart Douglas and asked ‘what do I do?!’
“I could see the bone, but he said just to wrap it up. Before the game they stitched it and it’s alright now. I’ve just got to wait for it to heal.”
Saturday’s point was only our second of the season and the first time we haven’t conceded in the league this season, but Terell felt it’s definitely something Wimbledon can build upon.
“We’ve played some top teams and I’ve never felt we were out of the game,” said Terell. “Ipswich was a tough one to take, but we were in the game up to the last minute and they scored. That happens in football. All the other games we’ve played - even at home in the first game of the season - we went toe-to-toe with some of the bigger teams.
“We’ve shown that we’re confident and can go toe-to-toe and played well against them. For the opening games the performances have been there, but in football the results don’t go your way all the time.”