RICHIE WELLENS: 'We need to batten down the hatches'

SWINDON TOWN manager Richie Wellens admits his side will have to batten down the hatches if they are to get back to winning ways, insisting that he doesn’t want a relegation battle this season following a mixed start to Swindon’s League One campaign. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the STFC manager ahead of their trip to face Northampton tonight.

Signing a new three-and-a-half-year deal in February, Richie Wellens explains that his main aim remains the same with the manager confident of having Swindon challenge for promotion to the Championship by the end of his deal. 

However, after arriving in League One as fourth division Champions, Swindon have endured a tough start to the season taking just 6 points from a possible 18, suffering three straight losses as they travel to Northampton tonight.

Speaking on his sides start to the season, Wellens said Swindon must grind results out until they can bring in more reinforcements in January.

“We could’ve got three loans but just didn’t have the money to get anything over the line,” said Wellens.

“Supporters have to understand that we don’t have someone that can put hundreds of millions into the club.

“Our chairman is doing his very best and everything coming into the club is out of his pocket, so it is tough. 

“I think we could’ve had a real go at this league with two or three extra players but we haven’t got them,” he added. 

“We’ve lost 12 players from last year and have managed to bring in 11 for 50% of what those 12 left for. 

“I didn’t sign a three-year deal to sit at the bottom of the league and scrap for relegation. That’s not my style of play.

“I think in the last three weeks you’ve probably sensed my frustration and it’s not fair on the players or supporters, but I am here to win,” he said.

“I don’t like looking at opposition team-sheets and thinking they can beat us,

“We’re going to have to batten down the hatches until January and hopefully there will be better finances and we can then have a go. 

“When you go up you need to get the recruitment right and I think we are just two or three short,” said Wellens. 

The manager also went on to explain what must be done to build a winning mentality in the dressing room ahead of a tough run of fixtures. 

"We had a squad of 24 players last year who had a win percentage of 65%, that’s a winning mentality and they have all gone,” said Wellens.

“You get that back through work, building confidence, getting wins, and through repetition on the training ground. 

"Let’s see how Liverpool get on without Van Dijk and Alisson because if you take 7 players out of Liverpool and replace them with world-class players, it will still take them time,” he said.

“It will take us time because we lost so many players. 

“I’m starting from the very bottom with this squad and that’s the way it is and we have to learn,” said Wellens.

One player he was able to keep from Swindon’s title-winning side is Anthony Grant, and whilst supporters were delighted to see the midfield general sign a new deal with the club, Wellens has called on the 33-year-old to be a leader and deliver bigger and better performances.

"He needs to step up and I’ve spoken to him because at the minute I’m not happy with his performances,” stated Wellens.

“I played until I was 37 because I changed my game. 

“If you’re tired then you stay in the middle of the pitch because as a midfielder you can influence the game there,” he added.

“We want Anthony Grant to step up and we think he has a lot more to give this season.

“We want him to be more influential in the middle of the park and allow others around him to play,” said Wellens. 

In contrast, the manager praised Grant’s midfield partner, Arsenal loanee Matt Smith, highlighting the youngsters versatile qualities.

“He is an outstanding young player and has the potential to go on,” explained Wellens.

“I think this has been a good loan for him so far because at the moment he has experienced everything. When we’ve been on top of the game and had to play simple, at Blackpool when the game was a bit more stretched, and then against some big opposition such as Sunderland. 

“He’s experienced a lot in the games he’s played and I’ve been really impressed with him. 

“He’s a really good footballer, presses with good energy and is technically very good. 

“He is another one who looks you in the eye and wants to learn and get better,” said Wellens.