Wellens slams 'pathetic' performance as Swindon exit cup

RICHIE WELLENS branded his team's performance as 'pathetic' following Swindon's three-nil home loss against Plymouth Argyle last night that saw the club eliminated from the Leasing.com trophy. Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker spoke to the Swindon Town manager following the result.

Branded by many managers as a competition that means very little, Swindon Town failed to impress as Ryan Lowe's Plymouth side ran riot at the County Ground. 

Speaking in the aftermath of the defeat, Wellens said that the players picked for the game did little to make a case for starting Saturday's league fixture. 

"It was just a long night and we were poor, really poor," said Wellens. 

"Before the game you obviously give players an opportunity with the changes we made.

"We made seven changes with a view that those who've trained every day but haven't had much time in the first team get a chance.

"I wanted some players to put something in my mind to suggest they get a chance on Saturday.

"I feel sorry for the supporters, it's not a competition high on our list but we wanted to put a performance in worthy of them paying their money and they didn't get any value for money tonight," he added.

"The players that played tonight are miles off of it in terms of starting Saturday.

"Supporters can say whys he not playing and whys that bloke not playing, but those who haven't been starting played tonight and who should start Saturday out of that," said Wellens.

Seven changes for Swindon Town saw full debuts handed to goalkeeper Steven Benda and defender Taylor Curran. But Wellens said that the vast array of changes led to a disjointed performance. 

"Sometimes it's difficult because when we work for Plymouth on Saturday we know their team roughly," stated Wellens. 

"You see it when Premier League teams make big changes for cups and they struggle because things are a bit disjointed. 

"The players can still run, close people down, and tackle though. Did we put a tackle in today? I can't remember.

"At times in the first half our defence was so deep there midfield cut through us like a knife through butter. There is no chance they will be doing that on Saturday," he added. 

"It was like a practice session at times.

"The level of performance was nowhere near but the players that played tonight haven't done themselves any justice," he said. 

Heading into the dressing room two-nil down at half-time, Wellens explained how he demanded more from his players but gave an insight into how he lambasted the teams first-half performance as pathetic. 

"Before the game I told them to go and express themselves and to give me a selection problem for the weekend," he said. 

"At half-time I used the word pathetic because it was pathetic at times.

"We change the system to a diamond to look at something, but if you play a diamond you need possession and all of their goals we gave the ball away in the middle of the pitch. 

"We didn't stop crosses into the box and they picked us off tonight. 

It was a really disappointing night but Saturday is the most important game, but this opened a lot of eyes," said Wellens. 

Swindon Town return to the County Ground on Saturday afternoon where they host Plymouth Argyle in the latest round of League Two fixtures.