Swansea City's main target at the beginning of the season was to stay in the top flight following promotion to the Premier League from the Championship last summer.
Despite a realistic goal for the 2011-12 campaign, the Swans exceeded expectations by remaining in the top half of the table for the majority of the season, as well as receiving glowing praise for their attractive style of football.
With the Welsh side ensuring Premier League football for next season, Sports Mole takes a look back at how Brendan Rodgers led his side to their current position in 2012.
August
The Swans' season began in the toughest fashion with a trip to title-hopefuls Manchester City. It was a baptism of fire for Rodgers's men and they were bottom of the Premier League after one game because of a 4-0 defeat.
Nevertheless, Rodgers refused to abandon the club's approach on the pitch.
The team took a point from each of their following two league contests against Sunderland and Wigan at home, but couldn't hide from a Carling Cup exit away from the Liberty Stadium to League Two side Shrewsbury Town.
September
In spite of their standing, defeats at Chelsea and Arsenal in the second month of the season appeared to underline Swansea's deficiencies on the road.
Meanwhile, sandwiched between defeats, the Welsh side broke their scoring duck and secured a 3-0 home win over West Brom.
October
The tenth month began with another impressive clean sheet triumph over Stoke before the Welsh club's indifferent away form continued with defeat at fellow impressive new boys Norwich and a throw-away draw at Wolves.
Another home win over Bolton saw the Swans end October on a high.
November
Of the three games contested by Swansea in November only one goal was scored; by Manchester United's Javier Hernandez in the Swans' first home Premier League defeat. Goalless draws came impressively at Liverpool and at home to Aston Villa.
December
An improved run of form in the busiest month of the football season left Swansea 14th at the turn of the year. Blackburn hit four past Rodgers's side to claim victory before further clean sheets were chalked up against Fulham and Newcastle.
Defeat at Everton was followed by two 1-1 draws at home to London duo Tottenham and QPR as the Welsh club looked to stabilise in the New Year.
January
Rodgers' side kicked off 2012 with an important 2-0 win over Aston Villa, which improved on their 14th position in the table. One of the Swans' most memorable matches of the season came when they clinched a 3-2 win over Arsenal in a thrilling match at the Liberty Stadium.
The Welsh side began receiving praise for their pass-and-move style of play, which some were even likening to that of Spanish giants Barcelona. Swansea's positive form against the 'big teams' continued when they managed to hold Chelsea to a 1-1 draw on home turf.
While the league progressed, Swansea's hopes of FA Cup glory ended when they were knocked out of the competition by Bolton Wanderers.
February
Swansea's performances continued to impress but the results didn't always match in February. Rodgers's side began the month on the front foot with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion. However, the former Championship club recorded two straight defeats against Norwich City and Stoke City in the winter month.
Despite inconsistency on the pitch, the Swans boss confirmed his loyalty to the club by signing a new long-term contract.
March
The Swans picked up an impressive nine points out of 12 in March, with the 1-0 win over title challengers Manchester City arguably the biggest scalp of the season.
While the club's run against the top four sides continued to impress, the Welsh side also recorded wins over Wigan Athletic and Fulham but Rodgers's team came unstuck in a 2-0 defeat to Everton.
April
Results began to dwindle for the Swans as the season drew to a close. Three defeats in a row to Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers dropped the club a few spots down the table but a 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers put a smile back on the supporters' faces.
Despite the convincing triumph, a surprise 4-4 draw with relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers knocked Swansea off their stride a few weeks later.
May
Following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier in the month, the Swans notched up a surprise 1-0 win over Liverpool to close their campaign in 11th spot, level on points with tenth-placed West Brom.
Danielle Joynson
