Wellens delighted with victory but warns players of complacency

RICHIE WELLENS praised his players after yesterdays three-nil home victory over Macclesfield took Swindon up to second in the League Two table but warned that complacency must not creep into the squad as Town challenge for promotion this season. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to Wellens following yesterday’s victory.

Swindon Town produced another free-flowing performance yesterday as they ran riot in front of a packed home crowd to make it three consecutive league wins for the first time this season. And speaking following the full-time whistle, Wellens admitted it has been hard to get the team to this level, but urged his players not to take their foot off the peddle as the season kicks on.

“It’s not easy, definitely not easy [to produce a performance like that],” said Wellens.

“We’ve put a lot of hard work into what we want to try and do.

“Again another team came and changed their shape against us, they [Macclesfield] played four at the back.

“I honestly think if teams play two centre-backs against Doyle and Yates then they will have a lot of problems,” he added. 

“I thought the first fifteen minutes we were totally dominant in terms of possession but they were difficult to break down. 

“Once we started to mix our game up in terms of passing, hitting longer balls and strikers getting runners off them then we started to create more chances. 

“The first goal was a brilliant goal and it’s something we worked on. 

“My only concern about this team is complacency. We need to keep on top of them, let them enjoy their football, but once we recognise they’re slacking off then we as staff will be on them,” said Wellens. 

A collective team performance saw Swindon’s attacking quartet link up effectively to put three goals past Macclesfield, whilst the Robins defensive back-line remained tight-knit as Town secured their first home clean sheet of the season.

And whilst impressed with the whole squad, the STFC manager highlighted the performance of full-back Rob Hunt, highlighting the difference the 24-year-old has made to the squad this season.

“Rob Hunt got two assists today, had a goal last week, and is terrific quality,” stated Wellens.

“He’s making the right decisions and is growing as a footballer like I knew he would.

“He’s a really good player and when I was managing him at Oldham there were Championship players looking at him and I had Championship scouts calling me asking if I thought he could play higher. 

“So to get him for a League Two team is brilliant. 

“What we didn’t have last year is quality from wide areas in terms of from the full-backs,” he said.

Yesterday’s victory moved Swindon up to second in the League Two standings with Swindon now just one point off top spot. But with players such as Michael Doughty and Zeki Fryers set to return to the squad, many fans are wondering whether the squad will change for Tuesday’s match against Colchester United.

However, the Swindon manager explained that players who have been away from the matchday squad will now have to prove themselves in order to get back in the starting line-up but insisted the competition within the side for places was healthy. 

“It’s only healthy competition as long as me as a manager is fair with every player,” said Wellens.

“For example with Ellis Iandolo. I like Zeki [Fryers], think he’s a brilliant footballer. 

“But how can I look at Ellis in the eye if he trains all week very well, go’s and plays we win, produces the best performance I’ve seen during my time here against Leyton Orient, and then drop him. 

“I have to be fair to all the players, and Zeki understands that.

“I don’t see the harm in competition and as long as I’m fair then it’s only good for the whole group,” he said.

Yesterday’s impressive victory was cheered on by just over 7000 fans at the County Ground as the feel-good factor Wellens and Swindon have created ensured a raucous atmosphere at the County Ground. 

But whilst delighted with the support both home and away, the Swindon manager urged more fans to get behind the side as Swindon challenge for promotion this season.

“I would’ve liked a few more fans today because we’re not going to go from 7000 to 9000 fans, but what we can start doing is eating into that,” said Wellens.

“I think the product that we’re delivering on the pitch is good and it’s up to us to keep the word going around the town and around the County that they have got a good team to watch.

“We’ve got exciting players, we’ve got goals in us, and I think it helps anyone when you have a big crowd.

“If you look at our most disappointing performances this year, they’ve all been in cups where I have made changes but the crowds were smaller.

“The away support has been brilliant and if we can continue that by selling out every away game then that will be brilliant,” added Wellens.