When Swansea City collapsed to blow a two-goal lead and lose 3-2 at West Brom in Vitor Matos' second match as boss, the Jack Army could have been forgiven for fearing the worst this season.
But the fortunes of both clubs have changed significantly since that dramatic comeback from the Baggies on November 29.
The Swans have won five of their eight Championship matches since that second half horror show at The Hawthorns - averaging 1.88 points per game during that run.
Only Ipswich Town and Watford - who have both claimed 17 of the last 24 points on offer - have gained more points than Swansea over the past eight games.
That is in stark contrast to the Baggies who have lost six of their eight league fixtures since completing a remarkable turnaround against the Swans on home soil little more than a month ago.
And following Monday night's last-gasp loss to Leicester City - West Brom's 10th successive away Championship defeat - the Baggies announced that boss Ryan Mason had been sacked.
The club made Mason the permanent successor to Tony Mowbray, who was sacked in April 2025.
In fact, since Welshman Tony Pulis left West Brom in 2017 only one of their nine managers, Carlos Corberán, has overseen more than 100 games.
The defeat to the Foxes means West Brom currently sit one place and one point below Swansea in 18th, having been three places and five points better off than the Swans ahead of the meeting between the sides in late November.
The Baggies' squad is littered with experience and quality, with the likes of Wales international Chris Mepham, Karlan Grant, Isaac Price, Nat Phillips, Jayson Molumby and Alex Mowatt all in the club's ranks.
But they have heavily underperformed during a season in which the race for a top six spot appears more open than usual.
They will at least be afforded a rare break from league action this weekend, as will Swansea, when the pair meet in the third round of the FA Cup at the Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday.
James Morrison will oversee first team affairs on an interim basis until a new staff is appointed, and the former Scotland international may have something of a dilemma to solve this weekend.
While Matos may well make changes to keep his squad fresh ahead of next weekend's home Championship fixture with Birmingham City, Morrison may feel the need to go stronger than Mason may well have done as he seeks to get off to winning ways and build some momentum again.
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There is no doubt that the league is the priority for both Swansea and West Brom this season, but as the Swans discovered in their first campaign following relegation from the Premier League, a strong FA Cup run can go hand-in-hand with improvements in the Championship.
It helps to build a winning mentality and positive habits.
Swansea have hardly been swashbuckling under Matos, and, despite the cruel nature of their late loss to Millwall on Sunday, the hosts were worthy winners at The Den.
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The Swans may need to delve into the transfer window to bolster their chances of improving further, with a right-back, a winger and a forward among the areas Swansea are most likely to be considering adding to this month.
But, little by little, improvements are clearly being made.
And, as captain Ben Cabango - a scorer at Millwall - put it, there is certainly light at the end of the tunnel.
"I think it has been a positive period for us. I think everyone can see the improvements we have made," he said of the Christmas period.
"I think you are seeing more and more the things we are working on and how the gaffer wants us to be as a team.
"We have taken three wins from five, and we are frustrated we did not take something from the two we did lose, so there is plenty to build on moving forward."
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