Patience has perhaps been the key requirement underpinning Russell Martin's tenure at Swansea City so far.
A tricky transfer January transfer window has probably held back this team's progress under the new boss, but with January in the rear-view mirror, it makes little sense to dwell too much on what might have been.
This has certainly been a season of adjustment for the Swans. A transition away from the philosophy of Steve Cooper, whose football was far more functional than it was exciting to watch.
After arriving at the beginning of August, Martin was denied the luxury of a pre-season, and subsequently spent much of the opening few weeks of his reign emphasising the importance of conditioning in aiding his side along in what has become known as 'the process'.
The Swans boss seemingly made a point of stressing on several occasions that this team wasn't quite up to the levels he needed to play his brand of football.
There's been progress. We can all see it. The wins over Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City point to the genuine potential of this team.
But Martin might well argue that this squad still isn't quite there yet. The defeat to Stoke showed just how tricky it can be to maintain the levels of intensity needed to keep up with his philosophy.
However, for the most part, it seems most of his players have stepped up to the challenge.
Few players have encapsulated the journey so far more prominently than striker Michael Obafemi.
The Irish international has, to put it mildly, had a pretty bumpy time of things in south Wales.
After seeing an initial loan move last January wrecked due to injury, Obafemi has had to really dig in to get himself up to speed under the current regime.
Martin had previously suggested that the striker needed to 'be better' both on and off the pitch in order to force his way into the first- team picture, having previously been left out of five consecutive matchday squads.
It would perhaps have been easy for the striker to sulk on the sidelines, but the 21-year-old deserves credit for the way he's bounced back, and with two goals in his last five starts in all competitions, it's clear he's finally starting to find his feet, much to the delight of his boss.
"I'm really of proud him," Martin said after watching Obafemi net in the win over the Robins. "He's doing exactly what we've asked. He's had a tough start to life here. He's a young man moving away from a place where he's felt really comfortable and settled in.
"Everyone is different, but all you can ask is that he takes on the detail. He's doing his job for the team, trusting and respecting the work that we do and he's been fantastic.
"I think he's got himself into a really good physical condition. I think that was the most important thing, for Mike to feel confident stepping onto the pitch and I think you'll see it now.
"Someone looking really sharp, really good. We spoke about it at half-time, he said it was the freshest he's felt. He felt he had a lot of energy left, which was beautiful to hear for his manager and team-mates, and I thought he did his job incredibly well today."
The hilarious viral outtakes from Obafemi's post-match interview on the back of the recent win over Blackburn certainly point to a man who is beginning to enjoy himself in SA1, and it's surely no coincidence that such soaring morale has come alongside a rich run of form.
It's perhaps just as well, as Martin will need as much firepower as he can get heading into the second half of the season.
Joel Piroe, who also found the net against the Robins, has carried the goalscoring burden for his team since his summer arrival, which Martin admits has probably been a tad unfair on the Dutchman.
“We obviously don’t have a huge amount of options at the top end of the pitch, so there has been a big reliance on him," he added.
“It’s maybe not fair for someone so young in his first season in the Championship, but he works so hard and he’s a great boy who is always asking how he can improve.
“He is working really hard, he’s looking much sharper of late and I’m really pleased for him."
Piroe played a slightly deeper role than usual against the Robins, which may well offer some insight as to what sort of dynamic we can expect if the pair continue to play together.
“Joel was playing in a different role for us, but a role he has played a lot in Holland," Martin continued. "I thought he was really good and deserved his goal.
“He’s been so consistent and we have created more chances in the last four or five games than we have for a long time, but just not finished them off.
"This time we did and I’m really pleased with the performance.”
If both of Swansea's forward stars can continue their recent momentum, there's every reason to be positive heading into the second half of the season.
For the latest Swansea City news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox, you can sign up for our newsletter here.
