AFC Wimbledon manager Jackson not taking Chesterfield challenge lightly

BY EDMUND BRACK

Johnnie Jackson will not be under-estimating National League side Chesterfield tomorrow as AFC Wimbledon look to progress through to the third round of the FA Cup.

The Dons were forced into a replay at Plough Lane by National League South outfit Weymouth in the previous round, with a double from Ethan Chislett and a goal from Ayoub Assal sealing their passage.

Chesterfield are third in the National League – six points behind league leaders Wrexham – and are managed by former Wigan and Ipswich Town manager Paul Cook.

The Spireites are unbeaten in their previous eight in all competitions.

“We approach every game to win it,” said Jackson.

“I have got a group of lads who are in good form and in really good spirits. Whoever is picked will be well up for that. We know how big a game it is, and we want to be in the third round.

“We understand that it’s a tough game. Chesterfield are a good side, and they’re going well in the league.

“They have got good players all over the pitch and a really good manager too. It’s not an easy game.”

Jackson would like to draw his boyhood club Arsenal in the third round.

Wimbledon extended their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions after a 1-0 win over Sutton United in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

The Dons’ last defeat came at the hands of Sutton on October 15, failing to record a shot on target during the second half.

But they gained revenge, to some degree, in midweek as Kyle Hudlin’s 17th-minute goal saw off the Yellows.

Wimbledon are on their longest-unbeaten run since 2011.

“We’re really pleased with how it’s going,” said Jackson.

“There were a lot of questions asked of myself, my players, the club and where we were going after that Sutton game [in the league] – because it hurt. It hurt me as much as anyone, but we have gone on a really good run since.

“We’re delighted with how it’s going. We just want to keep it going for as long as we can. It’s nice to get a bit of revenge and to keep that run going. But we haven’t done anything yet. We’re improving our position in the league, and we want to keep climbing. We’re through in the EFL Trophy and want to get through in the FA Cup.

“We’re not even halfway through the season yet, so we just have to keep steady, calm and not get too high – see where it takes us.”

Alfie Bendle, 17, started in the midfield alongside George Marsh on Tuesday evening. The Dons boss had previously stated that the teenager needed to head out on loan to gain the experience of senior football.

Bendle has started every game in the EFL Trophy and made four substitute appearances off the bench in League Two this season.

“We think the world of Alfie,” said Jackson. “He did well on Tuesday. It’s another good experience for him to be up against someone like Craig Eastmond, who has had a long career.

“To play up against those players is really important. But I still think there is a lad there who will benefit with a good loan in senior football.

“At the minute, he’s in and around [the first team]. He’s involved, he has been on the bench in the league and he is getting minutes.

“He is very much part of our plans and somebody we think very highly of. There are still six weeks to go until that window opens.

“There is a lot that can happen, but we haven’t got a massive squad. We don’t need to make any decisions yet on Alfie.

“We want to help his development, but at the same time, we don’t want to leave ourselves short and know that he is more than capable when called upon.

“We won’t make any decisions for a while.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD