Having lost boss Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool in the summer, it had been suggested that Swansea City would struggle this season with some tipping them as an outside bet for relegation.
However, new manager Michael Laudrup has thus far continued with the same values that Rodgers adopted and his astute dealings in the transfer market have meant that the Swans have played some of the best football in the league this season.
They lost Scott Sinclair and Joe Allen in the summer, but the additions of Pablo Hernandez, Ki Sung-Yeung and Jonathan Guzman have all impressed. Without forgetting Michu, the £2m signing from Rayo Vallecano, who is currently the joint top scorer in the Premier League with 13 goals.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at their opening half of the Premier League season.
August
Laudrup took his team to Queens Park Rangers in their first league match of the new season and it proved to be some afternoon for the Dane. The Swans were in scintillating form as they hit the R's for five. They then made it back-to-back league wins with a 3-0 win over West Ham United one week later.
Success also arrived in the League Cup as they booked their spot in the next round with a 3-1 win over Barnsley. Three matches, three wins, 11 goals scored and just the one conceded meant that it was the best possible start for Swansea and their new-look team.
September
September also began in encouraging fashion with a 2-2 draw against Sunderland to continue their unbeaten start in the league. However, they were brought back to earth with back-to-back defeats against Aston Villa and Everton.
They ensured progress in the League Cup with a 3-2 win away at Crawley Town, but their league form continued to stutter as they were beaten away to Stoke City. That run of results called into question their ability to respond, but they came up with the answers in the months ahead.
October
October began with a home draw against Reading, but they picked up a much-needed three points with a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic on October 20. It was not the prettiest of performances, but it was the perfect way to overcome their recent slump.
They arrived at Manchester City full of confidence and were the better team for large periods of the match, but a solitary goal from Carlos Tevez was enough to hand the points to champions, who were themselves struggling.
The month ended in the best possible fashion, however, as they continued their march in the League Cup with a 3-1 win away to Liverpool. Meanwhile, their summer signings, Michu and Hernandez especially, were putting in some sensational appearances.
November
The month of November proved to be an extremely successful one for the Welsh outfit. They opened with back-to-back draws against Chelsea and Southampton, before picking up three vital points away to Newcastle United on November 17.
Their impressive run continued with a home 0-0 draw against Liverpool, before they recorded all three points in a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion. It was that performance that Laudrup branded the best since he took charge of the club.
December
Perhaps their best performance of the season arrived on the opening day of the month as Michu scored twice on their way to beating Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates. However, they were brought back down to earth one week later as they beaten at home by Norwich City.
They did book their spot in the semi-finals of the League Cup, however, with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that they will play Chelsea in the next round.
Their league form continued to stutter as they were beaten away to Tottenham Hotspur, but Michu was among the goals once more as they drew 1-1 with Manchester United on the final weekend before Christmas.
Next up came a trip to Reading on Boxing Day, but the match ended in a share of the spoils despite chances for both sides. Meanwhile, Michu picked up an ankle ligament injury in the clash and is expected to miss the trip to Fulham on December 29.
Matt Law
