I guess that's the best that could be expected. 6 weekends unavailable for pitch maintenance. That is the same as planned last year. The Friday match in May has moved to Saturday. Two home matches then planned for the first two Sunday's in July as per last season, but both of those got moved to Ebbsfleet. You'd hope AFC Wimbledon have given assurances this time the pitch will be available.
Last year was the first full season for the pitch and I think the biggest issue was the lack of light on the pitch in the winter months due to the high West Stand and the high flats behind the South Stand. They have portable lighting rig, although I understand they really need another one. Lessons should have been learnt and I think if either of those July fixtures get moved, it what be reasonable that there was a penalty clause against the football club.
Last season the pitch was unavailable for any use for 8 weekends. The 6 unavailable weekends this year should not be allowed to increase.
The fixtures have probably been set-up as well as possible considering the (home) season has been split into two. Only five home matches in the February through June period. Then eight in July, August, September.
After the really poor start on the pitch last year which really didn't help attendances, this does give the club the space to have the team competitive by July (although if it were a mess in the previous five months it doesn't help particularly). Needs to be tuning rather than what happened last year. Does give the opportunity to get locals attending regularly in three of the better months of the year. The target does need to be primarily locals rather than AFC Wimbledon supporters. The percentage of those supporters living close enough to make the effort appears to be surprisingly small.
