RICHIE Wellens’ no nonsense approach to criticism and changing players’ bad habits has received praise from Swindon Town’s man of the moment Kaiyne Woolery.

Woolery netted twice, chipped in with an assist and was spectacularly denied a hat-trick by the post on Saturday as Town’s play-off credentials received an almighty boost when beating promotion hopefuls Bury 3-1.

Wellens, who took over the County Ground reins in mid-November following the sacking of Phil Brown, has helped the club climb eight positions in the League Two table and masterminded wins against top teams including Colchester, MK Dons, Forest Green and Tranmere.

Form since the start of the new year has left Town four points short of the play-off frame, and Woolery pinned part of Town’s success down to the manager’s ‘to the point’ attitude on the training ground.

He said: “If it’s something that isn’t going his (Richie Wellens’) way, or it’s going wrong, he will tell you – no need to worry about that.

“That’s a good way to manage. He tells us what we need to do, but has told the front four that we can do what we want.

“He doesn’t want to always be about attacking. Sometimes, he likes us to relax and string a few passes together.

“It’s coming at the right time, hopefully we can push on now and reach the play-offs.”

The 24-year-old, who scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season at the weekend, insists the pressure remains on fringe teams Forest Green, Exeter, Colchester and Carlisle.

A favourable run-in - with games against bottom half clubs Yeovil, Cambridge, Cheltenham and Notts County to come - has brought an element of expectation into a proportion of fans’ optimism regarding their play-off credentials.

Those expectations mean remaining level headed prior to each game remains a priority for Woolery and his team mates.

He said: “We know the pressure isn’t on us so much. Going to Bury, we knew they are a good team.

“Things are looking more realistic, and that we could creep in there if things carry on. We’ve picked up momentum at the right time.

“We’ve got to be level headed for every game, regardless of who we play.

“We knew Saturday (against Bury) was going to be a tough game, we know tomorrow (against Yeovil) will be a tough game.

“It’s about keeping consistent now. We’re making steps in the right direction, and things are coming together now.”