There were some worried looks when Swansea head coach, Vitor Matos announced his starting eleven against West Bromwich Albion, not least the fact he had no striker in the team. It turned out to be a masterstroke despite a fifteen minute period in the second half, and some uneasy moments at the end of this Championship fixture.

Looking at that starting line up it was clear that Matos wanted to win the midfield battle, and he certainly did that in the first half. As substitutions were made in the second half, the removal of Melker Widell especially, the midfield seemed a lot more spacious for the Baggies to attack the Swans. There were a few heart in the mouth moments for sure, Vigouroux beating away a Karlan Grant shot and then several saves that had he not made would have seen the Swans draw this game, or even worse. That didn’t happen as the big Chilean number one kept his second clean sheet in a row.

The new formation definitely flummoxed the Baggies head coach, Ryan Mason who put many of his starting eleven behind the ball to stop,the onslaught you would expect from, Marko Stamenic, Franco, Yalcouyé and Widell complimented by Ronald and Inoussa on the flanks. The tide was one way but the end ball from the flanks was again disappointing. However, the work done by Malick Yalcouyé in this game was astounding. He was busy throughout the game, his awareness in intercepting the ball or breaking down the Baggies attacks alongside Widell and Stamenic was something they couldn’t deal with.

The issue was despite forcing chances the Swans couldn’t get shots away in time and many were blocked. Being the side well in the ascendancy with Josh Tymon and Josh Key both adding to the issues that West Brom were up against, the Swans deserved to be in front. Key displaying some of his earlier form in his Swansea career, inter-passing with Ronald and raiding forwards on a number occasions. Bar a shot well saved by Vigouroux the visitors had little to shout about in the first half.

It was an extremely decent shout to make these changes, Widell chasing down everything (take note Inoussa and Vipotnik) and causing West Brom keeper, Wildsmith to take desperate action on several occasions. Goals wise it didn’t pay off but it was an interesting formation which had clealry been worked on. If it was a success with goals in the first half there would have been a different strategy in the second half. The eleven who finished the game looked a bit more like a traditional set up than we saw at the start.

The Swans scored from a Ronald tackle leaving Jay Fulton in space to advance forwards, take a look and deliver a shot which although well sighted hit the lower half of the back of the net. The Baggies keeper couldn't have been in a worse spot and the shot couldn't have been better placed for Fulton’s first game of the season.

And yes, how many moaned when Jay came on as a sub in the second half ? I did.

Those saves by Vigouroux in the second half were magnificent, he most certainly earned the points for the Swans as much as Ronald did when tracking back and putting that tackle in that led to the goal. Mention too for Cameron Burgess, another solid defensive display from a player who is best left to win balls in the air and clear danger. Marshalled by Captain Ben Cabango this win did leave a few scars. Liam Cullen it seems may miss the Millwall game after failing to pass a fitness test pre match. Ronald left the ground on crutches for assessment today at Fairwood and Josh Key is described as having a hole in his foot. Massive injury blow for clicks ? No. It just means the strategic mind of Vitor Matos will find a way of competing against Millwall this Sunday (3pm) without a few players it seems ? The flexible approach and willingness to change things was decent yesterday. It worked so well.

With rumours of a right sided defender in discussion next week we can only hope that important role is taken up very quickly. What a great New Years Day that was. Be happy. The Swans are fourth in the last six games played form table. It is slowly going in the right direction.

⚽️ Swans: Lawrence Vigouroux 9 Josh Key 7 (Ethan Galbraith 46) 8 Ben Cabango 6 (captain), Cameron Burgess 6 Josh Tymon 6 Marko Stamenic 7 Goncalo Franco 6 Malick Yalcouye 9 (Jay Fulton 71) 7 Melker Widell 8 (Zan Vpiotnik 56) 6 Ronald 7 (Bobby Wales 81) 6 Zeidane Inoussa 6 (Jisung Eom 56) 6

Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kaelan Casey, Sam Parker.

⚽️ Baggies : Joe Wildsmith, Nathaniel Phillips, Callum Styles, George Campbell, Karlan Grant, Mikey Johnston, Ousmane Diakite, Aune Heggebo (Josh Maja 60), Samuel Iling-Junior (Isaac Price 80), Alex Mowatt (c) Jayson Molumby 60), Charlie Taylor (Daryl Dike 86)

Unused Substitutes: Josh Griffiths, Chris Mepham, Krystian Bielik, Oliver Bostock, Noah Dupont.

⚽️ Referee: James Linington 6/10 : By comparison with the last five referees we have seen officiating matches involving the Swans he was half decent. Went a bit wobbly at the end making a few bizarre decisions. One leading to a corner which the away side nearly scored from.

Attendance: 17,416
Away 722

Photographs : DJohnson & Swansea Independent