AFC Wimbledon’s hit midfielder on his long-term future and savouring AFC Wimbledon promotion challenge

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Alistair Smith says he has regained his confidence on loan at AFC Wimbledon after his first tricky season in professional football.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been a roaring success at Plough Lane during his season-long loan stint from League One side Lincoln.

But despite missing just one League Two outing – the 2-0 win at Tranmere in November – Smith’s career trajectory had its first blip last season.

After jumping from National League to League One within the space of three years, he joined the Imps at the start of the 2023-24 season after leaving Sutton.

But he found himself back out on loan to League Two in the January window – joining relegation-threatened Colchester for the second half of the campaign.

Smith told the South London Press: “I was at a point in my career where everything was upwards from when I was 21 and left Mansfield to go to Altrincham.

“I went up again and did well at Sutton. Then I went up again [to Lincoln in League One]. It was the first real setback I had where I had gone somewhere and not stepped up to the level like I had been.

“It knocked me a bit. We’re only human – we’re not robots. More games breed more confidence and that’s what been happening this year.

“Usually you go to a club and you know a couple of lads here and there.

“I didn’t know anyone and it took a bit of time to get used to. I ended up playing on the left and right wing. I had never played anywhere but in centre midfield in the past four years of professional football.

“I was playing at the highest level I had ever played at, but I was also out of position. It put me on the backfoot to start with and I could never show my prized asset or ability. It never really clicked from that moment on.”

Smith made 25 appearances in the first half season under Michael Skubala before heading out on loan.

“That’s football,” he said. “I still gave it my best go and I ended up playing a lot of games there because of my work ethic.

“I was keeping wingers out of the squad through my work ethic.

“I knew it wasn’t right and I wasn’t getting the best out of myself. It was a ticking time bomb – it was only a matter of time that I got found out playing out of position.”

Smith returned to Lincoln, who just missed out on the League One play-offs last season, and headed out on loan again this summer.

He joined the Dons before a ball was kicked for pre-season, with Johnnie Jackson admitting he had been keeping tabs on the midfielder for some time after he got the signature across the line.

“I had a very deep discussion with the Lincoln manager, talking about my plans,” said Smith reflecting on the summer.

“After a lot of back and forth about what was going on, we fell on me going out on loan with Wimbledon.

“From my time at Sutton when I used to play against him, I got that vibe that he [Johnnie Jackson] admired me.

“I never really had a full conversation, but I knew he liked me as a player.

“When it happened this summer and I spoke with him, it all made sense. He had seen me up close and personal.

“He liked me in the past and that wasn’t going to change. It was going to restart my confidence and get my game back – I thought this was the perfect place.”

Smith fought for a play-off spot before in League Two during his first season with Sutton as they finished eighth and narrowly missed out on the top seven.

But this is the first time he is looking to get the job done in 46 games, with Wimbledon aiming to claim an automatic promotion spot and end their three-year League One hiatus.

He has had the pressure of trying to keep a club in the Football League too, playing 15 times on loan with Colchester as they finished 22nd and three points above the drop zone.

“The relegation battle pressure is way worse,” said Smith.

“You’re fighting for something great now and not your own downfall.

“I’m really enjoying it. You feel there is a bit more on every game because we’re in the business end of the season.

“We’re standing up to the task really well. We have had a lot of tricky away games recently.

“We have to maximise the points at home and picking up points away, and I think we will be okay.

“To be pushing at the top end of the table is exactly what I need right now.

“I’m showing my experience now and wanting to perform in big games. There is no better place to be in football.

“I have never had a promotion on my CV so it’s massive for me and for all the lads as well. We all want it and we’re very passionate about it. I feel really back to myself. I want to play a massive part for the team in helping us get promoted.”

Smith’s loan deal is set to expire at the end of the season, with Wimbledon having protection over a possible recall clause in the summer. But would he like to stay if the option to make the deal permanent came to fruition?

“It’s a case of dealing with it when I come to it,” he added. “There are no plans or talks. We will see what happens. For now, I’ll just keep enjoying my football.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD