ANALYSIS: What can we make of the Richie Wellens era so far?

SWINDON TOWN remain seven points adrift of the League Two playoffs entering their final match of the year against Mansfield Town on Saturday. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his analysis on how Richie Wellens has performed since taking over the reins at SN1.

Arriving in the immediate aftermath of Phil Brown’s sacking midway through November, Richie Wellens has now had over 720 minutes at the helm of Swindon Town. But what analysis can be made of the manager’s short time at the club?

After a failed tenure managing boyhood club Oldham Athletic, the appointment of Wellens came as a shock to many associated with the club as opinion was split over the newest manager.

But a climb up the League Two table into 13th position has led to some to believe that the former Manchester United product is the right manager to take the Wiltshire outfit forward after a troublesome few years.

Signed on an initial deal that will keep the 38-year-old at the reigns of the Robins until May 2020, Wellens immediately guided Town to three consecutive league victories for the first time this season.

However, a shock FA Cup exit to non-league Woking combined with no victory in the side’s last three league fixtures suggests Swindon are suited to a season of mediocrity with the playoffs looking increasingly unlikely. 

Upon arrival at Swindon Town, Wellens suffered a hammering 4-1 home loss against Carlisle in his opening game, but with Swindon’s youthful side now fully adapted to understanding the new manager’s playing style, the Robins have started to improve.

The ability to play quick attacking football through the channels are the key attributes that Wellens has sought to implement within this Town squad. 

And whilst there have been moments of impressive football, there is a general feeling that Swindon doesn’t possess enough players with the quality needed to make the new style as effective as is needed.

The hope at the start of the season was that Swindon would dominate league proceedings and escape from the doldrums of League Two football with automatic promotion the aim. 
But a run of poor results accompanied by a severe lack of goals this season has Richie Wellens’ Town side looking positioned for a mid-table finish come May. 

Wellens has experimented with a host of various strikers to lead the line this season, but with no striker having scored more than the five of Elijah Adebayo, it’s clear that a prominent goal shortage is at the top of a list of problems this season. 

Kaiyne Woolery continues to be plagued by injury, Marc Richards appears to be past his best, whilst Elijah Adebayo has failed to deliver the performances that many hoped the on-loan Fulham striker would. 

And when speaking following matches Wellens admits that he is on the lookout for a centre-forward in the January transfer window although it continues to be seen whether club chairman Lee Power will supply the funds needed to do so. 

Whilst unable to fix Swindon’s attacking problems with the current squad at his disposable, the Manchester-born manager can take positives from the improvement he has made to Town’s defence. 

During the Phil Brown era, a consistently changing backline saw the side operate with club captain Olly Lancashire partnered with either, Dion Conroy, Sid Nelson, or Luke Woolfenden at the heart of defence. 

But having put his trust in a centre-back combination of Nelson and Woolfenden, Wellens has watched his Swindon side manage three clean sheets during his current eight-match stint in charge. 

Although with Nelson’s loan period expected to end in January, there is fear that Town’s strong defence will be disrupted should the club fail to keep the on-loan Millwall defender till the end of the season.

A disappointing Boxing Day draw against Northampton provided a clear example that the playoffs appear far from reality for Swindon Town this season and Wellens ensuring survival and plan for next season.