Young midfielder seeks to build on his big chance
Alfie Egan made his full league debut less than 12 months after starring in AFC Wimbledon’s FA Youth Cup run, but he’s determined to push on and earn more first-team opportunities.
The 19-year-old’s midfield display at Chesterfield was praised by Neal Ardley after he played his part in a battling 0-0 draw, but Alfie knows the hard work starts now.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Alfie said: “We trained at Derby the day before and the manager announced the starting line-up. I was surprised, but I was buzzing! All night I was thinking about how I could impress on the pitch, how I was going to fit into the team shape, and off the ball stuff. It went well. I want to be in that starting 11 and training with the first-team. It’s a step to try and build relationships with the players on and off the pitch, you want to get to know them a bit more.
“Last year was one of those defining years really and it all happened so quickly. I just thank everyone really, including Mark Robinson and James Oliver-Pearce. ‘Robbo’ improved my game massively with getting forward, but now I have to think about the defensive side. Last year was massive for me development-wise and the success came with it too.
“I have been talking with ‘Coxy’ about when to go (and join in the attack). Obviously, last year I was just going and going because we were dominating the games, but in League One we are up against really good teams and they are good on the ball. I have to show that defensive side and get back into the team shape.”
With Toby Sibbick having become the latest academy product to be included in the first-team squad, Alfie added that there is a feel-good factor with the players coming through the youth system.
“I was delighted for Toby and he is a very good player,” said Alfie. “He is going to be in and around the first-team and showing his qualities in training. We have some really good young players here – you can see that in training. The manager has shown that he will give us opportunities when he feels that we are ready.”
.Dons PlayerThe full interview with Alfie is now on