GOALKEEPER Luke McCormick believes Richie Wellens’ fast-paced approach on the training ground is starting to benefit Swindon Town’s attacking players, but at the same time admits a period of adjustment is required.

McCormick was placed between the sticks for the first time since Wellens took charge at SN1 following the sacking of former manager Phil Brown, who departed on November 11.

The 35-year-old stopper, who spent 13 seasons at Plymouth Argyle with stints at Oxford City, Truro and Boston United in between before joining Town, had no answer to Jake Hyde’s second-half header last weekend as Town crashed out of the FA Cup second round after losing to non-league Woking.

Despite not registering a goal, McCormick insists Wellens’ quick approach to training sessions is benefitting the club’s strikers – believing it will only be a matter of time before Town’s performance against Stevenage will be replicated on a more regular basis.

“He (Richie Wellens) likes us to play quick and play with a tempo, something that we didn’t do enough of in the first half against Woking,” said McCormick.

“Once the goal went in, the intensity of our play went up somewhat.

“He’s making small changes, and we’re benefitting from that. We’re trying to play more attacking and expansive football under the new manager.

“It’s coming along, and that’s evident. We just need to replicate what we did against Stevenage and put the ball in the net.

“A period of adjustment is needed, but on the whole we can be pleased with where we are.”

McCormick made the most of Lawrence Vigouroux’s absence from the training ground during two stints in September and October as Chile played Korea, Peru and Mexico in international friendlies.

Vigouroux’s call-up to his national team opened the door for McCormick, who played nine consecutive games in goal for Town under Phil Brown – conceding six goals in those games.

Brown opted to place Vigouroux back in goal following Swindon’s 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park against Exeter, and Wellens has used the 25-year-old in all of his League Two games in charge to date.

However, hopes for a return to the first team in the league will be high for McCormick as Town square up to five fixtures before the turn of the year.

Tomorrow’s home tie against Newport is one of two home games in that period.

Despite his role as back-up goalkeeper, McCormick insists confidence is high in the camp – and plenty of belief has been absorbed from Town’s wins against Port Vale and Stevenage in the league.

“The league table has improved, we’ll go into the game against Newport with plenty of confidence against what will be a good side,” said McCormick.

“The new manager has installed belief into the players.”

Learning to break down the opposition’s defence remains a work in progress for Town though, who have four goals to their name in as many games since Wellens took charge.

McCormick added: “We counter well as a team, but as they (Woking) sat in we didn’t get the chance to do that.

“We’re a young side though, and we’re learning. We have to look at our cup exit as a learning curve, and if we come up against this again then we have to use it as a way of improving ourselves.

“It’s a brutal way to end our cup run, but that’s football and that’s the FA Cup.

“Woking came here and stuck to their task, that’s what it’s about and good luck to them.”