No room for complacency says Wellens

RICHIE WELLENS has issued a warning to his Swindon Town players insisting that they must remain consistent and avoid complacency as they prepare for the weekend visit of Ian Holloway’s Grimsby Town. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the STFC manager at today’s pre-match press conference.

Having been top of the League Two table since November, Swindon Town now remain in the position on goal difference with Exeter City currently joint-level on 63 points. Ahead of their upcoming clash against 15th placed Grimsby Town, Wellens stated that Swindon are solely focused on taking each game as it comes. 

“There’s 13 games left and we just need to continue as we are,” said Wellens.

“Our points return since the turn of the New Year has been good so we just need to not get ahead of ourselves. 

“It’s far too early to be looking at other people’s results, 

“I always think once you get the Easter weekend out the way then the run-in really starts and pressure starts to mount for teams,” he said.

“It’s not very good in terms of the bottom team’s because only one side goes down which is a bit of a farce. 

“It means an extra two or three teams aren’t playing for anything and it should’ve been sorted out. 

“The run-in for the relegation teams will be a lot shorter so that definitely impacts the table. 

“I would imagine that the top three spots will go down to the wire,” added Wellens. 

A postponement in their last match due to bad weather means Swindon have gone two weeks without playing a competitive match, allowing other sides to gain ground on the league leaders. 

But whilst some may think a rest for players is a good thing at this time in the season, Wellens is of opposite thinking. 

“No it’s not [good to have a break]. If we had injuries and people struggling for form then you could take them out the limelight a little bit,” he said. 

“We’ve got a big squad though and players are chomping at the bit. 

“It wasn’t ideal and I would’ve liked to play the game [against Scunthorpe] but when it’s taken out of your hands for a safety issue then you can’t argue,” said Wellens. 

“It’s important you have players in your team who are consistent and don’t react.

“You can have certain individuals in your team, maybe one or two that can dip in and out of confidence. 

“You need the mainstay of your team to be consistent and I think we have that.

“A lot of the players we have aren’t just good players and good leaders, I think we have a lot that every time they go out on the pitch you know what you’re going to get from them,” he said. 

Swindon are in good form ahead of Grimsby’s visit to the County Ground with the Robins unbeaten at SN1 since September, and Wellens admitted it is hard to make changes to a team that is in such good form. 

“Midfielder and strikers [are our selection dilemma] because we’ve got players in form,” said Wellens.

“We look at them and feel we need to make a change to what we think will cause them [Grimsby] a lot of problems. 

“We’ll probably make once change from the Northampton game and that’s just because of their system,” he said. 

“Danny Rose is up there with the best professionals we’ve got. 

“It’s not a worry with him in terms of attitude or his application, he’s a good lad as well but he’s just found it tough with the form of Anthony Grant and Michael Doughty - who has been exceptional the last six or seven games. 

“It is difficult when you’re leaving out really good lads such as Danny Rose but I have every confidence he will pick up where he left off when given the chance,” added Wellens.