LAWRENCE Vigouroux has been described as a ‘breath of fresh air’ on the training ground by Swindon Town manager Phil Brown, despite club chairman Lee Power revealing the goalkeeper’s future at the club has been thrown into doubt.
Vigouroux’s contract at the County Ground is due to run out at the end of the current season, with Power revealing that the 24-year-old agreed to sign a fresh deal with the club prior to his call up to compete with the Chile national squad.
Upon returning to Swindon after his initial international stint, Vigouroux learned his first-team spot had been earned by team mate Luke McCormick - who has conceded only four goals in his seven starts since taking over.
Brown’s decision to side with McCormick when it comes to team selection has ‘stalled’ contract negotiations between Power and Vigouroux, according to the Town chairman.
But Brown insists his decision to swap goalkeepers has helped Vigouroux mature as a player.
He said: “We all have opinions, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I believe that Lawrence (Vigouroux) should be playing in a higher division.
“Distribution-wise he’s one of the best, outside of the Premier League.
“He (Lee Power) hasn’t forced his opinion upon me with regards to team selection for one minute - and I thank him for that.
“I do welcome Lee’s opinion. But as far as I’m concerned, I’ve got backroom staff with great experience.
“And my decision to keep Luke McCormick in goal is because I reward clean sheets, not just stylish play or distribution.
“Obviously he’s disappointed, and the more clean sheets we keep the worse it will probably get (for Lawrence).
“But at the same time, he’s growing up.
“He’s had experiences where he thrown his toys out of the pram and ended up in Waterford – that’s not where Lawrence’s future sits.
“For me, his future is in a higher division. And fingers crossed, when he gets back in, he will have hopefully learnt from this.”
McCormick meanwhile will face his former club if selected for tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy tie against the Pilgrims having spent 13 seasons with the Devon outfit from 2000 in two separate spells.
With a record of conceding just four goals in his seven appearances since taking Vigouroux’s place, Brown is full of admiration for the 35-year-old – who completed a successful pre-season trial at the club in July.
Brown said: “Luke McCormick has had a great career – and this loops back to young vs old to a certain extent.
“I admire Luke and the way he goes about his work – I’d say he’ll still be playing football at 40.
“That’s another five years in the game, hopefully that’s a successful reign at Swindon Town.
“They’re two totally different goalkeepers and two totally different characters, but there’s something to admire about both of them.
“Fingers crossed when Lawrence gets his chance again he’s ready for it.”
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