Swindon Town Women manager Richard Wood said that he believes his team are developing the ruthless edge they will need to achieve success.

Town have had a great season as they sit third in the table, only behind the undefeated pair of Exeter City and AFC Bournemouth, and are in the Wiltshire Cup final.

Swindon won 28-0 against Selsey at the County Ground on Sunday and although Wood admitted this was not ideal as a contest, he felt it showed that his players were developing the right attitude to be successful.

He said: “Women’s National League football is ruthless because you have only got 22 games and you have got teams like Exeter and Bournemouth, so to get promoted you need to be perfect and not lose a game.

“That becomes part of your learning process because you realise that if you have one little slip-up then you are not going to be able to compete for the title.

“I have seen some stuff on social media about yesterday [Selsey] but we have to create a mentality in our group that is ruthless, relentless, and focused on goal difference.

“It is unfortunate that a team has to suffer off the back of that, but what I think is more important is how we conduct ourselves to be respectful.

“I can’t say to my players to ease off in one game because we are preparing for a tough game against Moneyfields on Sunday and you just have to have that mindset to be competing at the top end."

Sunday was yet another game at the County Ground this season and Wood explained why that was important for the club.

He said: “It has been clear to me that the players have increased their performances at the County Ground, and I think that is a really positive thing.

“It is important because it will help me recruit players because it shows that there has been a shift in Swindon’s approach to their women’s team, we are fully integrated now.

“Those are the things that players are looking for, the rewards for players at this high level are their experiences, it is costing them money to play.

“They do it because they love the game and the reward is great experiences and the more we show we are providing them with a suitable environment that takes them and their sport seriously, the more we will be able to attract those top players.”