Wellens not bothered by Chelsea defeat, insists focus is on the league

RICHIE WELLENS insisted he ‘learnt nothing’ about his side following Swindon’s 3-2 home defeat against Chelsea U21’s in the Leasing.com Trophy last night. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the STFC manager following the result. 

Following Saturday’s opening day victory over Scunthorpe, Wellens made significant changes to yesterday's line-up with the Town manager including just five-weekend starters to meet the competitions matchday requirements. 

Speaking after the final whistle, Wellens admitted that the significant squad changes meant he learnt very little about his players. 

“I’ve learnt nothing from that really,” said Wellens.

“We used a patch up team and didn’t have time to really work on anything. 

“We gave a number of players a platform to get some minutes and try and impress in front of some of the scouts here watching.

“Our two best players were Hunt and Isgrove who played 90 minutes on Saturday, but defensively we were all over the shop today,” said the Swindon manager. 

Wellens admitted that it would likely be the same starting side that takes on Carlisle at the County Ground this upcoming weekend as that which secured three points against Scunthorpe, with those that played against Chelsea showing very little to change the manager's mind. 

“My concern is Carlisle at the weekend, hence the changes we made and the mix of players we put out,” said Wellens.

“[No one] has forced their way into the team on Saturday on the back of this performance.

“We kept a clean sheet at the weekend, played some good football and tonight was a totally different game. 

“If I could have played the youth team tonight then I probably would have,” he added. 

The Leasing.com Trophy is just one of two other cup competitions that Swindon will have to take part in this season. And whilst still trying to respect the competition, Wellens highlighted that his limited squad size means Swindon can’t push hard in every competition. 

“We haven’t got a big enough squad [to push in every competition,]” he said. 

“If we get injuries then it would be difficult, hopefully, we can have a fully fit team for Saturday.

“I think we are still a few players short within the squad so if we can find new clubs for Diagouraga and McGlashan then we can use their wages to try and bring some new players in,” added Wellens. 

Limited squad size will have fans worried as the games start coming thick and fast with the season now well underway. And when asked about possible transfers, Wellens gave an insight into the work going on behind the scenes. 

“We’re not close to anything but we are trying,” said Wellens. 

“We’re at the back of the queue on a few players so we just have to wait. 

“Hopefully in the next week or two a few players will start moving and it will have a knock-on effect.

“It’s not just a striker we need, we’re still three players short in this squad,” he said.