MARC Richards has labelled player-manager Matt Taylor a ‘breath of fresh air’ as Swindon Town welcome Cheltenham Town to the Energy Check County Ground this afternoon.

Taylor has taken the reins from David Flitcroft after his abrupt departure for Mansfield Town last Wednesday.

Richards, who played alongside Taylor at Northampton Town last year, says he has enjoyed a different approach from the former Premier League player.

While there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Swindon at the moment, Richards reiterated that the club’s preparation for this afternoon has not wavered.

“We had a monster session on Tuesday and I was in bed for 8 o’clock so it is safe to say that we have been working hard,” he said.

“Matty has his own approach on how he wants to do things and that will be different to every other manager in the league.

“The session was a physical one as it should be. Tuesday is a working day in the football world, it was good, intense, fun and we got a lot of work out of it.

“If that is a sign of things to come form Taylor as a manager, then it’s a sign we are good hands at the moment.

“Matt has been a breath of fresh air to be honest, it’s a new approach and the players have bought into it this week.”

Richards also revealed he and his teammates were disappointed to see Flitcroft leave, but firmly believes Swindon have what it takes to be promoted to League One at the end of the season.

“I heard a whisper that there was a possibility of David going to Mansfield and then it was confirmed later that day,” he said.

“The lads were disappointed, because we feel like we feel like we have something good here and I ‘ve been in team’s who have been in team’s which have been promoted before, I know what it takes.

“I feel like we have what it takes but that’s football and we need to make sure that we try and move on quickly.

“As a player is it something you have to deal with and you have to deal with it quickly. Some of the younger lads might not have had it yet in their careers, so it is something new for them.

“For me it has happened all the way through my career. I have seen plenty of managers off, Flickers has made the decision to move further north for his own reasons, all we can do is concentrate on us.”