soccer

Swansea have 'job to do' as Snoop Dogg visits

Seven of Lawrence Vigouroux's 10 league clean sheets this season have come since Vitor Matos took charge in November [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Lawrence Vigouroux says Swansea City's players will relish Snoop Dogg's visit to Wales – but insists their job is to deliver a result in front of the rap superstar.

Snoop Dogg will attend his first Swansea game since becoming a co-owner of the Championship club when Vitor Matos' side host Preston North End on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

A sell-out crowd is expected at the Swansea.com Stadium for the Preston game.

And self-confessed Snoop Dogg fan Vigouroux hopes the American star will be able to visit the home dressing room on the back of a win.

"It'll be a great occasion," the Swansea goalkeeper said.

"He's such a big name, not just in America but worldwide. Having him as part of our club is a great thing.

"We feel really grateful that we're part of this football club where he's involved. It will be great to have him here but we have a job to do first and that's to hopefully get three points on in front of a really good crowd."

Snoop Dogg followed Real Madrid legend Luka Modric by becoming an investor at Swansea last July, with billionaire businesswoman Martha Stewart getting involved in December.

While his son watched the Swans in action last August, Snoop Dogg is heading to the Swansea.com Stadium for the first time having been at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Snoop Dogg applauding at the Winter Olympics
Snoop Dogg ws with Team USA at the Winter Olympics as a hype man and 'honorary coach' [Getty Images]

Vigouroux says Snoop Dogg's music has featured on Swansea's dressing room playlist since his involvement with the club was announced.

Asked whether the 54-year-old will join Matos' players in the dressing room on Tuesday, Vigouroux said: "I think we have to just play the game, hopefully win and then whatever happens, happens."

Swansea face Preston on the back of Saturday's hard-fought victory over Bristol City, which was a seventh victory in their past eight home fixtures.

The Robins triumph lifted Matos' side to 15th in the table, only six points outside the play-off places with 13 games remaining.

While finishing in the top six may be a tall order, Swansea are barely recognisable from the team outside the bottom three on goal difference in late November.

Since defeat to West Brom, in Matos' first week in charge, Swansea are among the form sides in the Championship, having won nine of their past 15 league games.

Vigouroux says Matos' approach has been a key factor behind Swansea's upturn.

"He's enthusiastic, energetic and someone we all respect," added the former Burnley player.

"He wants us to be a very high-pressing team, very front-footed. He wants us all to be higher up the pitch to create chances and we have been able to do that."

Swansea's latest triumph came despite Bristol City carrying more attacking threat than their hosts.

But a combination of Bristol City wastefulness and Swansea's defensive prowess meant Zan Vipotnik's 18th goal of the season proved enough for three points.

"I know it wasn't the prettiest game of football, but it was one of those [games] where the weather wasn't great, it was windy - that's how football is sometimes," said Vigouroux after a 10th league clean sheet of the season.

"The very good teams are the ones that, despite all of that, can still come away with three points and we were lucky enough to be able to do that. The defending was outstanding."

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