Five things we learned from West Brom's defeat to Swansea

1 NEW MANAGER BOUNCE MAKES LITTLE IMPACT

The players may be enjoying Alan Pardew’s positive approach, but it is yet to reap dividends on the pitch. One point from an inviting opening two games has confirmed that Albion’s problems run deeper than originally thought.

Confidence is rock bottom, and they need more work tactically, particularly going forward. Pardew deserves plenty of time to turn it around, but he faces a tricky run now with Liverpool, Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal all coming up in December.

2 TEAM NEEDS PACE

Pardew pushed his wingers further up the pitch than Tony Pulis ever did, but Sam Field and Hal Robson-Kanu lacked a cutting edge out wide whereas Nathan Dyer petrified Albion’s back line in the first half because of his speed.

Recognising the problem, Pardew put James McClean on at half-time and the Irish international did add some much-needed energy to the Baggies.

Albion are at their best when Matt Phillips is on song, and they could also use Oliver Burke getting up to speed soon. Because without pace, it’s too easy to defend against them.

3 SUMMER BUSINESS FAILING TO LIVE UP TO REPUTATION

If the summer business of 2016 was underestimated at the time, then this summer’s acquisitions may have been overstated. Grzegorz Krychowiak was supposed to take Albion to a higher plain, but the Paris Saint-Germain loanee can’t get a game at the moment.

Oliver Burke may have potential for the future, but you’d expect a £15m signing to have some impact in his first season, Gareth Barry has been inconsistent, and Jay Rodriguez is struggling to find the net at the moment.

Ahmed Hegazi and Kieran Gibbs have been brilliant, but the jury’s still out on the others.

4 WHICH MEANS THERE COULD BE MOVEMENT IN JANUARY

Pardew, quite rightly, batted away questions about the January transfer market in his first week in charge. He wanted to take a look at what he had on his plate first.

But after two games without a goal, he admitted that he might need reinforcements in the New Year, particularly along the misfiring front line.

Albion will have to sell to buy if they want to bring any new faces in, which means the likes of Jonny Evans, Krychowiak, and others, could be allowed to leave in order to kick-start a re-shuffle.

5 BUT ON THE WHOLE, PARDEW REMAINS UPBEAT

It would have been nice to get off to rip-roaring start, particularly with a daunting run of fixtures coming up. But Albion’s new boss knew it wasn’t going to be easy – there’s always a reason why a job becomes available.

Although he was pleasantly surprised by the work ethic he inherited, he is yet to see moments of brilliance. But he’s confident he can coach the players to deliver those moments.

‘We’ll fix it on the training ground,’ was his response afterwards. It's the right mantra, because that belief goes a long way.