Richie Wellens previews FGR clash

SWINDON TOWN make the short trip to Nailsworth to face promotion rivals Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, and despite a recent dip in form, Richie Wellens was full of praise for Mark Cooper's outfit. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi spoke to the Swindon manager ahead of the clash.

Less than a month ago, Forest Green sat in second spot in League Two, just two points behind Town with a game in hand, but a run of three games without a win in the league has seen Rovers drop down to sixth. 

However, Richie Wellens believes that Forest Green have a good chance of promotion this season, following play-off heartbreak last year.

"They're a good team and one that have been together for a couple of years now with some good footballers," he stated.

"They were unlucky last season, and got a hard deal in the play offs, with decisions going against them. They have started well this year.

"I fully expect them to be around the top seven come the end of the season.

"They have a good budget and a good manager in Mark Cooper that has a style of play over a number of years," he continued.

"You get the momentum of coming up from the National League and winning each week, like Tranmere, then you can get a successful football team.

"They also pay their player's decent money so they've got a chance," Wellens added. 

Rovers have the joint-best defence in the league, but they are also the lowest scorers in the top ten, with a lot of their games ending in fairly low scoring affairs. 

Swindon are the top goalscorers in the league, and Wellens insists that his side have enough in them to break down Forest Green's sturdy defence. 

"You wouldn't want them on your goals galore coupon because it's usually 1-0 either way," stated Wellens. 

"We've got goals in us so we're not going to change much. We'll go there, attack and try to score goals."

As it stands, Swindon are averaging two points a game in League Two, claiming 42 points from their 21 games so far this season.

However, Wellens was quick to state that it is hard to keep up that sort of form in this division. 

"Two points a game will win you this league comfortably because it's just so demanding week in week out," he said. 

"It's not easy to win a certain amount of games. I know we've won seven in a row, but I'm not sure of the next record. I don't know if anyone else have won four or five on the bounce, as it's difficult to do.

"It's about not getting carried away. The next game is Forest Green, can we get three points? If we don't get three points, can we make sure we don't lose the game?" said Wellens.