Swansea City looked destined for the drop when they picked up just four points in 10 games between October and December.
The Swans were struggling under Garry Monk and it was clear that they needed a change in leadership to avoid falling back into the Championship.
The appointment of Francesco Guidolin in January, to work closely with club legend Alan Curtis, surprised many but proved to be a masterstroke as the Italian instilled the character required to see off a potential relegation disaster.
Andre Ayew was an inspired signing last summer and ended up with 12 goals while Gylfi Sigurdsson was again his club's best player in what was a magnificent individual campaign which ensured their safety.
The progress the Welsh side made under Guidolin bodes well for next season and with a few handy additions, Swansea may yet return to the form that has seen them establish themselves in the top flight since taking the step up in 2011.
SWANS SNAPSHOT
POSITION: 12th
WIN-DRAW-LOSS RECORD: 12-11-15
POINTS:47
GOALS FOR-AGAINST: 42-52
SWANSEA'S TOP 3
SCORERS:Andre Ayew 12, Gylfi Sigurdsson 11, Bafetimbi Gomis 6
ASSISTS:Andre Ayew 5, Gylfi Sigurdsson 4, Kyle Naughton, Modou Barrow both 3
CLEAN SHEETS (leader):Lukasz Fabianski 9
YELLOW CARDS:Ashley Williams 8, Angel Rangel, Gylfi Sigurdsson both 6
RED CARDS: Kyle Naughton 1
EA SPORTS Player Performance Index: Gylfi Sigurdsson 586, Andre Ayew 524, Ashley Williams 487
TRIBAL'S TOP BOY
TWITTER TALK
With my big bro before the last game...respect @YayaTourepic.twitter.com/YhJI5TGfFU
— André Ayew (@AyewAndre) May 20, 2016
Hope we win our last game of the season for our fans at the Liberty stadium @swanseacity_esp @… https://t.co/tZ84hoQ8y2
— Bafétimbi Gomis (@BafGomis) May 15, 2016
Good way to end the season.. Well deserved point and 5 games unbeaten at home! Thank you @SwansOfficial for 4 amazing months
— Leroy Fer (@LeroyFer10) May 15, 2016
Con la llave @JeffMONTERO23 lo mejor con tu selección amigo !! pic.twitter.com/pinH4v4icF
— Fede Fernandez (@pajarofernandez) May 15, 2016
FROM THE BOSS
"Now we need to prepare a good team for next season.
"I have spoken with my chairman (Huw Jenkins) and we start with a good team.
"We need something in the summer, but not too many changes."
- Francesco Guidolin, May 2016
STAT STORY
*Thanks to Opta
42 – Swansea scored just 42 goals this season in the Premier League, their lowest total in a PL season. Meek.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 16, 2016
