SWINDON Town’s playing budget is being shadowed by at least eight clubs currently jostling for a spot in League Two’s promotion frame or lower, according to manager Richie Wellens.

Salford, Northampton, Plymouth and Mansfield are four of nine clubs that Wellens listed ahead of this afternoon’s game against Grimsby Town as having a much greater playing budget.

But the 39-year-old pointed towards the positive atmosphere in the dressing room as well as fans’ confidence in Town’s current squad as the key reasons behind the club’s outstanding form in League Two so far this season.

Wellens said: “I’m not savvy to every teams budget.

“But you’ll find a lot of managers don’t tell the truth.

“If I’m honest, I’d say our budget is midtable – and that’s off the top of my head.

“Do I believe money talks? It’s a lot easier to win with money, and a lot easier to get better players in with money.

“But, you have to have that spirit and belief in the dressing room to go out and win football matches consistently.

“Top managers in the world have the most money, but they’re managing high egos.”

Complacency is now Wellens’ biggest worry concerning his group of players.

Not at one stage this season has he doubted players’ ability or work rate, but he has seen signs of complacency creep in at times – notably during Town’s visit to Forest Green in December where a two-goal lead at half time was cancelled out.

He added: “I’m not worried about players’ ability or work rate, but sometimes they can switch off and be sloppy.

“Forest Green springs to mind, and a couple of other games. You have to create an environment where players and supporters enjoy coming to the ground.

“That beats money alone – look at Leicester when they won the league, that’s a fine example.”