“It hasn’t been a disadvantage” – Dons defender on stadium situation

BY DANIEL MARSH

Terell Thomas doesn’t feel as though AFC Wimbledon’s lack of a home ground at the start of this season was a disadvantage.

The Dons played their opening four home games as temporary tenants in QPR’s Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium until their new Plough Lane stadium was ready.

Glyn Hodges’ men have an impressive away record this campaign, tasting defeat just the once away at Hull City. They’ve also managed to register impressive victories on the road at Fleetwood and Swindon.

Wimbledon managed just one victory during their short stint in west London.

“I wouldn’t put it [playing at a neutral venue] as a disadvantage. This is a really weird season as there’s no fans,” explained Thomas.

“Even with away games, it doesn’t feel like an away game. The atmosphere and everything around the game is different with no fans. Going home and away [this season] there hasn’t been much of a mental difference. When you have a normal away match, you walk out of the tunnel and you hear the home team’s atmosphere – but there’s none of that this season.”

But Thomas did share his excitement at the prospect of being backed by the Wimbledon faithful at Plough Lane for the first time – and he thinks they can make the difference for the Dons by turning the new stadium into a fortress.

“We’re still thinking about walking out in the tunnel that first game when the fans are back,” he said.

“It’s going to be packed out – that’ll be an amazing feeling. It’s something we know that all the fans have been waiting for. Hopefully fans will be allowed back in sooner rather than later so we can make [Plough Lane] a fortress.”