FORMER Swindon Town stopper Wes Foderingham believes Luke Williams’ way of playing is vital to seeing them lift themselves out of League One but admits there is a time and place for ‘just getting rid’.

The 25-year-old played a pivotal role in Swindon playing out from the back and it has continued in his absence, with Lawrence Vigouroux, Tyrell Belford and Will Henry all being encouraged to be comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Even in his role as Rangers goalkeeper, Foderingham is asked by manager Mark Warburton to start attacks from the back and he sees it as an important attribute if Town are to progress.

“He (Luke Williams) is sort of the main reason why Swindon are playing the way they are playing,” he said.

“In terms of developing younger players it is a great way to play and Luke is a big part of that.

“I think it is a reason why we were so successful last year in getting into the play-off final.

“Playing that kind of football helps you to move up the ladder because higher up the ladder lots of teams play like that.”

However, Foderingham, who along with his Rangers teammates had to escape the Hampden Park pitch on Saturday after the Hibernian fans invaded the pitch following their 3-2 Scottish Cup final success, revealed that whilst at Swindon he was told to always play the ball to feet even if the ball was played back to his weak foot or he was being closed down by an opposing defender.

This tactic has frustrated many Town fans and has seen, on all too many of an occasion, possession gifted back to the opposition in dangerous areas which is why Foderingham believes the players should be able to use their own judgement and clear their lines if needed.

“I think it is the right way to play but there is a time and place for playing it out from the back.

“You don’t want borderline suicidal football, you want to be effective and win games.

“At Swindon, when I was playing, it was play at all cost. Don’t kick the ball, that was literally it.

“If I was under immense pressure I still needed to play, not kick the ball long.

“Now at Rangers we play out from the back but if we are under immense pressure then we are told not to be suicidal, if you need to go long then go long.

“It is probably the way to go, you can’t play out all the time.

“Teams watch videos, they learn what you do and make it difficult to play out all the time, especially on League One pitches.”