Although thankful for the opportunity given to him by the Dons back in January, Chris Lines admits 2012/13 will go down as a season to forget.
Having made over 40 appearances for the Owls in their League 1 promotion-winning campaign back in 2011/12, Lines came into this year looking adding to that tally in the Championship only for a pre-season injury to knock him down the pecking order at Hillsborough.
The Bristol-born playmaker played just six time for Wednesday in the English football’s second tier before completing a loan switch to the Dons in January and even though he enjoyed his spell at stadiummk, Lines revealed to mkdons.com that he’s the keen to put this season to the back of his mind as he prepares to come back stronger next year.
The 24-year-old said: “It’s going to be a weird off-season for me because usually at this point I’m absolutely knackered having played every game but as I’ve not been involved that much this year it doesn’t really feel like the end of the season.
“I’ll be able to switch off and take my mind off this season, though, because it’s been a bit of a nightmare for me personally but on the other hand that will make me more determined to come back better and stronger next season.
“Coming here was all about me playing games and getting fit again so in a way I’ve got what I wanted. It would have been nice to get into the play-offs which is what I thought we would do when I came in but it’s just one of those things and I’m sure everybody will learn and next season it won’t happen again.
“It’s been a disappointing season for me because I’ve played the least amount of games since I started playing but I’m thankful to this Club for giving me the chance to come here and play.
“They’ve given me the chance to get fit again and I’ve enjoyed it so we’ll see what happens in the summer and we’ll go from there.”
Lines was no stranger to the Dons even before joining on loan at the beginning of 2013, having come up against the men from MK1 six times for both Wednesday and Bristol City in the past four years.
And the midfielder’s brief stay in Milton Keynes only backed-up his opinion that the Club has what it takes to play at a higher level in the future.
“This Club definitely has the potential to get out of this League - it’s why I signed here back in January. This season has been a bit of a lesson learnt but it is set up for the Championship, in my opinion, and that League will only suit the team when they get there.
There is a totally different philosophy here from what I’m used to as the total football style is something I’ve not been involved with before. At Sheffield Wednesday, particularly last season, it was a lot more direct especially compared to how it’s done here – which is a good thing.
“The Gaffer’s trying to implement it and there aren’t too many teams in the country that are willing to try and play this way. Apart from your Swansea’s and Brighton’s it’s totally different and it’s been great to be a part of it.”
