Cold night on subs bench acts as real motivator for in-form AFC Wimbledon midfielder

AFC Wimbledon midfielder Ethan Chislett has admitted he uses memories of a cold night on the bench at Accrington Stanley to drive his own performances on this season.

The 24-year-old playmaker has starred in Johnnie Jackson’s side, making 32 appearances in the first half of the campaign. He was benched last season under previous head coach Mark Robinson for the 2-0 away win at Accrington in December, Wimbledon’s last win for 235 days as they were relegated to League two.

“The number one thing – which is beneficial to the squad – is that nobody is safe in the starting line-up,” Chislett told the South London Press. “You have got to play well, or you’re coming out. That’s the way it is – that’s the relentless side of football.

“I remember that Accy away night very, very well. That’s why I have performed at a higher level this year, because I remember that I don’t want to be back on the bench in those types of games.

“I want to be affecting things and being creative up the pitch. I have had to be patient. I hadn’t been used to sitting on the bench – it was a big learning curve of how strong you have to be mentally to become a footballer.”

This is Chislett’s longest run of consecutive starts in the league for the club. He is the Dons’ top goalscorer in all competitions with nine and has played more minutes under Jackson – 2,194 – than any other manager he has had at Plough Lane since joining from Aldershot Town in 2019.

“I am massively enjoying my football,” said the former Met Police midfielder. “I have to give credit to the gaffer. He has given me freedom on the pitch. To begin with, it was quite an unusual position for me, as I like to come in from the left, but playing right-midfield took a couple of games to adapt to.

“I went into the analysis room with Tom Daws [head of analysis]. I was getting in good areas, but I wasn’t threatening enough and I didn’t look like I was going to score.

“We looked over highlights and the likes of Phil Foden. He plays on the left and is left-footed, so it’s relatively similar. I was trying to look at how he arrives in the box and picks up his goals. It’s a credit to Dawsy, too, as I have been amongst the goals since then.”

Studying the clips of Manchester City and England international Foden has paid off for Chislett and has seen Wimbledon reap the rewards this season.

Chislett gambled on a Harry Pell flick-on to bundle the ball past Max Crocombe from just in front of goal in the 1-0 home win against Grimsby.

His new-found poacher’s instinct also came to fruition in the dying moments at the Colchester Community Stadium, reacting quickest inside the area to divert Huseyin Biler’s saved long-range effort into the net, handing Wimbledon the 2-1 lead and all three points.

“I have never really scored those types of goals,” said Chislett.

“My favourite goal so far was that Colchester one – it’s all about getting into those positions. I’m trying to arrive between the sticks when that cross comes in because that’s where most of the goals are scored.”

While Chislett has become a reliable outlet from close to the goal, his efforts from distance have seen him become a formidable free-kick taker for Jackson’s side.

He has picked up three Goal of the Month awards this season, with his free-kicks against Bradford and Newport particularly catching the eye.

“In my youth days, I used to take them and score a few,” he explained.

“From them, I never really do them. But my old man always barks on about taking set-pieces because they are a big part of football.

“I have scored three this year, and we have scored from a few corners too – contributing in play and through set pieces is massive.

“I remember practising them throughout the end of last season, just hitting free-kicks and watching a lot of James Ward-Prose.

“His technique is unbelievable. He gets a lot of whip on his set pieces and gets them over the wall, which is the main thing when I put the ball down.

“I always hear the clapping and chants when I put the ball down. I have scored three free-kicks this year – I’m looking to score more.”

Chislett was born in Durban, South Africa, moving over to England when he was five.

He is hoping his club form could lead to him following in the footsteps of his grandfather Gordon and pulling on the national shirt for Bafana Bafana.

“I would love to represent my country,” said Chislett. “Hopefully, it’s something that’s in the pipeline. I have to keep performing and seeing what happens. I’m not focused on it, as it will come as a by-product of doing well in the league or getting promotion.

“It would be massive for me. My grandad represented the country way back when, so to follow that would be amazing.”

Chislett recently reached 100 appearances for the Dons in all competitions after the 2-1 away win at Colchester. Summing up his journey with the club so far, Chislett he said: “The main word I would use is patience.

“I don’t think I would be at this point in my life if I didn’t train hard or try and better myself. Sometimes in football, you have to be selfish.

“Hopefully, it’s onwards and upwards. I’m not going to say promotion, but we want to get up the table – that will be a big achievement for us.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD