SWINDON TOWN manager Richie Wellens applauded the club’s loyal fans following the 4-0 defeat against Carlisle United on Saturday, adding the team deserved more stick than what they received.

Chants were aimed at club chairman Lee Power and boos unsurprisingly rung around the Energy Check County Ground following the full-time whistle, but Wellens believes his players got off lightly – adding that jeers from the stands could’ve been much worse.

With Town now turning their attention to an away tie at Port Vale this weekend, 38-year-old Wellens hopes his side’s home performance can act as a wake-up call.

He also stated his belief that Swindon are lacking a proven goalscorer in the team, suggesting changes in January are already on his mind.

He said: “What happened in the second half is tough.

“I’ve got thick skin, and the fans could’ve given us a lot more stick – they probably deserved more stick than what we got.

“I need to make sure we recover right. We’ve still got to do the right things after the game – whether we win by four goals or lose by four.

“I highlighted our movement and play at half-time – we were quick and got into some great areas.

“But, have we got an out-and-out goalscorer at this club at the moment? Probably not.

“If we had an out-and-out goalscorer on the pitch on Saturday, we would’ve scored goals and the result might have been different.

“I can’t take anything away from Carlisle, their finishing was brilliant.

“The easiest thing for me to be is angry and frustrated – but I have to be constructive.

“I have to read the game right and see where our weaknesses are and rectify them.

“We were a threat going forward, we got ourselves into good areas. But I want us to be more clinical.”

Wellens also hopes to improve the club’s coaching team amid doubts about experience levels on the touchline.

Assistant manager Noel Hunt and player-coach Matt Taylor are both aged below 40, and the Town boss admits having a wise head to fall back on could serve the club well as they bid to launch a play-off challenge.

He said: “I would like a new coach because our team is young and enthusiastic. I want that wise and older head who has been there, seen it and done it.

“I’m still developing as a manager so it’s tough for me at the moment, it hurts a lot.

“We are going to pick up points, but when we score that goal it will lift players’ confidence.

“Players will start to take the ball into space and move it quicker. It can change a game.”