‘He earned his opportunity’ – Dons midfielder works his way back into starting picture
Mark Robinson has praised Ethan Chislett’s recent performances and work ethic for AFC Wimbledon after the midfielder fought his way back into the starting line up.
The South African-born midfielder, 23, has started four of the previous six for the Dons after a run of 13 games on the bench.
Before starting the 2-0 loss to Ipswich Town at home towards the end of January, Chislett’s last League One start under head coach Robinson came in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday in mid-October.
He scored the opener in the 3-2 loss at South London rivals Charlton Athletic and picked up an assist for Ayoub Assal’s opener in the 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town.
Chislett joined the Dons in the summer of 2020 under Glyn Hodges.
“He’s just kept working hard,” explained Robinson to the South London Press about Chislett’s recent run in the first team.
“It’s obviously frustrating when you’re not in the team, but I have had a lot of chats with him individually and told him that he had to keep chipping away and doing the right things.
“Lots of players want to be in the side, and they ask the questions, but they’re not happy to carry out the actions to get in the side.
“Ethan did that week in, week out – in training – and then he earned his opportunity.
“In football, in general, players can come to you and ask why they’re not in the side because they feel that’s what they do. You’re not in the side, so you come and ask the questions why, but they don’t come to you with any actual thought or reasoning, possibly because the agent has told them to ask the question.
“I want players that come and speak to me and tell me why they think they should be in the side – then we can have a proper discussion.
“Despite me loving the lads and knowing that we’re going to be alright, we are where we are in the league. So when people come and speak with me, I want to know what they’re going to bring, not just ask why they’re not in the side because it’s a pointless conversation.
“That’s exactly what Ethan does – he comes, talks to you, and tells you what he thinks he can bring.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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