DION Conroy’s attitude and response to criticism has been applauded by Richie Wellens, after the centre-back put in a standout performance during Swindon Town’s 4-0 win at home to Morecambe on Saturday.

Conroy, 23, was immediately dropped out of the starting XI by Wellens after his first game in charge in mid-November.

The Town boss made no secrets of his harsh – but realist – words to the former Chelsea defender, who was criticised for his approach to training and attitude.

But Conroy took Wellens’ comments as motivation to revitalise his career, and has been a regular in Town’s XI since Boxing Day.

Pin-point passing coupled with a clinical finish for his first goal in a Town shirt made Conroy a standout player as Wellens’ side boosted their League Two play-off push.

“I’m really pleased for Dion,” said Wellens.

“I took him out of the team, and he struggled to get in the team at times.

“But everything I’ve asked of him since has happened. Sometimes it is hard – I’m not their mum or agent where all I have to do is tell them how good they are all of the time.

“I’m a football manager and a realist. If players perform really well, I will tell them and I will give them confidence.

“But if players aren’t in the right shape – not in the right mindset or not performing well – I also have to tell them. And I have to be hard on them.

“I was hard on Dion, but he’s come through that period with flying colours. I’m looking at a really good player now in terms of all aspects of his game.

“His defending is good. How many centre-halves can cut back and put the ball in the corner like he did?

“His passing was outstanding – every credit to him. He’s a very talented player.”

Meanwhile, a selection headache faces Wellens with regards to his goalkeeper after Luke McCormick also stood out after making three fine first-half saves before recording his fifth clean sheet of the season from 13 appearances.

The Town boss admits it’s too soon to make a call on whether Lawrence Vigouroux should return but general opinion from the terraces suggested McCormick should be granted more time between the sticks.

Wellens said: “The way we played on Saturday was very open, so we needed to make sure that we kept the ball.

“If we gave the ball away, we were going to be open to attack and there would’ve been gaps to cover.

“Morecambe had a one-on-one in the first half and Luke made an excellent save. He made a routine save from a header, I couldn’t fault him.

“His kicking was very good and decision making was good. It’s what I expect from a goalkeeper that has been at this level for a number of years.”