Wellens delighted with 'battling' victory in tough conditions

RICHIE WELLENS praised the Swindon Town fans for carrying his side over the line following Town's 2-1 win over struggling Walsall. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi spoke to the Town manager following the win.

Goals from Eoin Doyle and Diallang Jaiyesimi was enough to see Swindon record their third straight victory, despite the best efforts of Rory Gaffney who pulled a goal back for the Saddlers.

In tough conditions, Wellens felt that the Swindon fans helped his side see out the game.

"In conditions like that, the result is the most important thing. I thought we started the game okay, we passed it quickly and played it down the sides of their back three and got chances," stated Wellens.

"Second-half it became a battle. I had a go at the supporters [at Stevenage] but today they have seen us over the line 100%," he added.

"It's a pleasing result as we dug in, and the supporters gained us two points.

"I thought Walsall were decent and when you score so early against a team in a bad run of form, it does give them some freedom. I'm just really happy with the result today," said Wellens. 

Diallang Jaiyesimi grabbed Swindon's second goal thanks to some good battling and some luck with a deflection, and Wellens was happy for the winger following his injury battles.

"He needed that start and that 55/60 minutes. He had a couple of occasions when he had the defender 1 v 1 and when we see him in training in 1 v 1's he will look to get a shot off," said Wellens.

"I think he was lucky as it took a couple of deflections, but I'm pleased for him and he's finally getting his career with us back on track."

Town were forced to grind out the result by a tough Walsall side, and Wellens stated that with the elements his side were faced with, the win was the most important aspect. 

"Our performance against Crawley and today's performance was chalk and cheese," stated Wellens.

"When you get those conditions you just need to get the win. Chalk three points on for us and move on to the next game." 

Swindon are in FA Cup action next week as they make the short journey to Cheltenham, but Wellens revealed that he hasn't got permission from a few parent clubs to play some loanees. 

"We've got permission off a couple, but we haven't got permission off another couple," revealed Wellens.

"There will be changes for next Saturday." 

Wellens also revealed that he would ideally like to ship out some players in January in an attempt to cut numbers in the squad. 

"I'm looking to cut numbers, but we keep picking up injuries. I'll look to increase the squad in quality but I do need to get rid of 4 or 5 on loan or permanently," stated Wellens. 

"It's not easy when you keep picking up injuries and it's becoming a weekly occurrence. With the Keshi one, we think every time he's recovered from his hamstring, he's fine but it's coming to a stage where we need to get to the bottom of it.

"He's a big player for us and it affects our performance. 1-0 up 20 minutes gone, and you're comfortable in the game, a big player gets injured and then it disrupts your rhythm," he added.