RICHIE Wellens has stated that he has only passed the 70 per cent mark on his road to building his perfect squad at Swindon Town under current budgets.

The Town boss made 12 additions during the now closed summer transfer window, and has yielded two points-per-game from the club’s opening seven League Two fixtures of their 2019-20 campaign.

Standout signings include pacy winger Lloyd Isgrove, dynamic midfielder Jordan Lyden and proven goalscorers Jerry Yates and Eoin Doyle – among several others.

But with the club’s long-term ambitions in mind, Wellens told the Adver he is only three-quarters of the way there with regards to building a squad that can play how he wants week in, week out.

Securing the signatures of players that can complete his squad will be anything but an easy road, though.

Wellens explained: “From where we’ve come from, we’re probably 70 or 80 per cent of the way there to get to where I want to play week in, week out.

“Last season, we didn’t have the personnel. I wanted to make sure that at the end of last season I would have six players that knew what they were doing if I let 12 players go – which is what happened.

“We’ve allowed time to bring players in to get us to the next stage. The way I play is not a quick fix – it won’t be result after result after result.

“I’m trying to do it, so I make decisions that are best for the club’s long-term future.

“The identity of the team and club is coming back.”

Anthony Grant, the latest addition to Wellens’ Town masterpiece, came on as a first-half substitute for Lyden at Leyton Orient on Saturday – with the latter expected to be out for two weeks after picking up a minor quad injury.

Wellens initially feared playing Grant for more than 50 minutes would prove too much for the on-loan Shrewsbury Town man.

However, he controlled play well in midfield while rarely going beyond the point of call with regards to his movement – something the Town boss specifically told him to do.

Wellens added: “When Jordan came off, I was thinking is it too early for Anthony? He blew up after 30 minutes on Tuesday in a behind-closed-doors game.

“Those minutes on Saturday would’ve done him well. I did tell him that I’m not bothered about his lungs, I wanted him to use his experience and know-how.

“If ever he found himself in doubt, stay in the middle of the pitch and control the game. He’s experienced enough to know stuff like that.”