Michael Laudrup's introduction to the Premier League and to the Swans faithful couldn't have gone better. After 19 straight meetings versus QPR without a win, the floodgates finally opened with a convincing 5-0 exorcism of demons past.

Starting a new season with a new boss and a new-look team against an opponent you've never beaten away from home might have seemed like a daunting task. However, Laudrup's Swans passed the test with a performance that would have stolen all the headlines had Fulham not beaten Norwich by the same scoreline and ex-Swans boss Brendan Rodgers not suffered a 3-0 humiliation on his own debut.

Those other opening weekend highlights aside, Saturday's Swans were worth every column inch of praise. Granted, there were 15 or 20 minutes of uncertainty as QPR pushed for an equaliser following Robert Green's 20 yard humiliation courtesy of Michu. Only the combined heroics of Michel Vorm, displaying last season's form, and newcomer Chico's composed goal-line clearance, kept the Swans ahead.

However, having weathered the storm and found their feet in the process, the Swans were able to sting QPR repeatedly on the counter attack. Laudrup's system of pulling Swansea's wide-men into the middle and having the full-backs charge down the flanks created overloads in the centre of the park which the Rs' defence continually struggled to cope with.

The new boys acquitted themselves in solid (Jonathan de Guzman, Chico) and spectacular (Michu) fashion. With his two goal performance, the second of which featured a truly world class finish, Michu made an introduction worthy of the 70-odd number nine shirts the club shop sold following the game. Chico Flores hit the crossbar and De Guzman was unlucky not to score with a well hit free kick.

The old boys were at it, too. Wayne Routledge might have Scott Sinclair's relationship with Helen Flanagan to thank for the first-team chance he was granted, a chance which he seized with both feet. The enigmatic winger's sublime eye for a pass at times recalled the Swans' famous manager in his playing days, and I imagine the canny Routledge will flourish under Laudrup's tutelage.

Meanwhile, Nathan Dyer continued to demonstrate his improving finishing skills, ending the match with two well-taken chances, whilst Sinclair added some last-minute value to the transfer fee the Swans are expected to recieve from Manchester City for the winger by completing the scoring as a late sub.

All told, after some early jitters, the Swans put on a masterclass of up-tempo, incisive, counter attacking football. Michael Laudrup suggested his tactical changes would see the Swans push forward with more purpose, and the freedom he has given the wide men to not only run at the full-backs but to terrorise the entire defence through the middle is likely to cause havoc for all but the most well-drilled defences this season.

It was a start nobody expected. If Laudrup and his Swans can keep their standard up to anywhere near this level, the Swans will do just fine this season.

Positives: More incision than a Wilkinson Sword. Strong debuts from all three new players. Best possible start for the Laudrup regime. Finally beat QPR.

Negatives: Does hitting the crossbar twice count as a negative?

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