THEO Robinson believes Richie Wellens is building a solid platform for a successful career in football management, voicing particular praise for his ability to individually deal with players.

A win return of greater than 40 per cent, coupled with Swindon Town’s 1.57 points per game average in League Two, has helped the club maintain their play-off push into at least late March.

Nine players were added to Town’s squad in January by Wellens, while he also sent several younger players out for loan stints in the National League.

The Town boss has also made no secret of his harsh – but fair – words of advice to defender Dion Conroy, who consequently delivered a standout performance against Morecambe last weekend in Swindon’s fine 4-0 win over the Shrimps.

And Wellens’ approach to turning around players’ complacent or low attitudes has caught the eye of on-loan striker Robinson, who insists his manager is doing things the right way.

He said: “You need that kick up the backside sometimes.

“Football is a man’s game and you need to be strong by taking advice – good or bad – onboard.

“It’s up to the player to prove people wrong.

“There are two aspects to the game though, and he’ll praise you when you’re playing well.

“Last Saturday was a good result, and the manager has told us that we’ve executed the work we have done on the training ground in the week really well.”

Playing out from the back and pressing opposition teams’ defence when out of possession have clearly been two strong points to Wellens’ tactical game since the turn of the new year.

Kyle Bennett’s addition to the team appears to have filled the role of Matt Taylor. Bennett’s sharp crosses were a regular theme against Morecambe, and the Bristol Rovers loanee has also impacted Town’s threat from set-pieces.

Robinson added: “We’re playing good football, and that’s the main aspect.

“Richie was a good footballer when I played with him, he was a good midfield player and got on the ball well – even though he moaned a lot.

“He got on with the game. It’s good when we can show the good football we can play.

“It’s good that I knew Richie before I joined here as a player. He’s showing what he can do, and has averaged two points per game for a good period of time.

“We’re looking towards the future and hoping to keep going.”