SWINDON Town manager Richie Wellens said Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Rochdale was a product of hard work on the training ground being carried out to perfection on game day.
Town pressed their visitors into submission during a relentless first half, resulting in goals for Tyler Smith, Matt Smith and Anthony Grant that carried Wellens’ men to the top of the table.
A late goal for Rochdale gave the Town boss food for thought moving forward, but overall Wellens was more than happy with his side’s efforts after the first game of the new League One season.
When asked what pleased him most, Wellens said: “Everything that we worked on in training, in terms of what Rochdale would bring both offensively and defensively.
“We worked towards stopping them and the way that they play, and I thought the players carried it out a treat.
“We had four or five opportunities from winning the ball high up the pitch, culminating in Matt Smith’s goal.
“We kept the ball well, we could have switched it a bit more, but all in all it was a really solid performance.
“In the last 20 minutes, we were a little bit leggy and the game opened up a bit.
“They’ve nicked a goal which we’re not happy about, but it’s a good result and a good start.”
Victory sent Town to top spot in League One, which ordinarily would have resulted in cries of ‘we’re top of the league’ from the stands at the end of the game.
However, due to the global pandemic, fans are not allowed in stadiums for the time being – something that manager Wellens is struggling with.
He said: “We put the fan noise over the speakers today, which made it a little bit better.
“But if I’m honest, I’m really missing the fans. I want our supporters back because I’m missing them.
“First game of the season, this place should have been rocking. But it is what it is.”
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