Woeful start for Swindon boss Wellens
SWINDON TOWN ............ 0 CARLISLE UNITED ......... 4
RICHIE Wellens’ start to life as Swindon boss began in worrying fashion as his side were hammered at home by Carlisle United.
Wellens, who previously was in charge of Oldham, was appointed after Phil Brown’s sacking, which followed the club’s FA Cup win against York City last weekend.
The Robins have not won at home in the League since August and are now just seven points clear of the drop zone.
Regan Slater grabbed a brace, while Ashley Nadesan and Jamie Devitt also found the back of the net at the County Ground.
Swindon’s troubles were complicated when James Dunne departed less than half-an-hour into the contest due to a family emergency. Wellens pinpointed that moment as the catalyst which changed the game, with all four goals coming after the news.
The new manager said: “You never really get a job when the situation is all rosy.
“I’ve highlighted a lot of things that aren’t right at the moment, but there were a lot of good things in the opening 35 minutes.
“We conceded goals at bad times, but the biggest thing for me today was when James (Dunne) went off. That killed us, it absolutely killed us.
“He had that energy about his play, and we started really well. When he left the pitch, it sucked the life out of us.
“It’s a bad family emergency, and it puts things into perspective. He’s got a more serious matter to deal with.
“It’s tough knowing that the game is gone when there’s still half-an-hour to go. It was tough because I don’t know the character of my players that well, I’m looking for body language.”
Nadesan gave the visitors the lead four minutes before halftime after a well-worked move. Devitt expertly found Jack Sowerby, who pulled the ball back for Nadesan to fire home off the post.
In the second half, Slater nabbed his first of the afternoon as Nadesan nodded Gary Liddle’s pass into Slater’s path to rifle into the roof of the net.
The game was done and dusted after 55 minutes as Devitt’s pinpoint free-kick beat Lawrence Vigouroux. And Salter added gloss to a fine victory 23 minutes from time after the hosts were loose with possession.
Swindon substitute Scott Twine flicked Matty Taylor’s free-kick towards goal but failed to trouble Adam Collin.