AFC Wimbledon have assembled their ‘best squad’ in several seasons and have grown as a group, according to Callum Kennedy.
Kennedy came on as early substitute for the injured Sean Rigg in the Dons’ comprehensive 3-1 defeat of York City.
Vadaine Oliver equalised on the hour mark for the hosts, but goals from the outstanding Lyle Taylor and Tom Elliott sealed the outcome.
Kennedy suggested that his side may only recently have acquired the character to respond to such a setback: “It’s very nice to come back and score so quickly, it knocked the wind out of them I think.
“Maybe that’s something we’ve been lacking in the past” he pondered.
“Maybe if they’d equalised in the early part of the season, or last season, we might not have scored straight away and it could have been more nerve-wracking towards the end.”
Saturday’s success signalled Kennedy’s return from compassionate leave, after his dad Barry passed away last month. The 25 year old retained his determination to return to action in his father’s memory.
“I have always had my mind focused on getting back playing, because it’s something that would have made my Dad proud.”
“I’m more than ready to be back in amongst it now” Kennedy added. “I’ve been sitting on the bench waiting to get my chance and desperate to get out there and play. I got my chance today, unluckily for Sean.”
The Reading academy graduate is a left-sided defender by trade, but was brought on to operate on the left of midfield after Rigg picked up a dead leg in the 20th minute.
He praised the form of incumbent left-back Jon Meades: “Meadesy has been superb.
“If I was in his shoes, I would be disappointed to be taken back out.” he admitted. “It’s good, healthy competition. All I worry about is myself and try to be the best version I can of me. If I keep doing what I’m doing, and concentrate on me when I get my chance, I will take it.”
Kennedy won automatic promotion from the fourth tier with Swindon in the 2011-12 season when the Robins ended as champions.
The defender suggested that, since his arrival at Kingsmeadow in 2013, the current squad is the strongest yet and can look to push on having secured their first back-to-back victories this year.
“This has been brewing,” he said. “There has been a few little bits and bobs that we’ve needed to take care of, but we seem to have ironed them out, although there was some stuff on Tuesday that went wrong.
“We all get on really well and it’s definitely the best squad we’ve had since I’ve been here.” he stated. “There’s no reason why we can’t put a bit of a run together now and kick on.”
