Is Swansea's winger transfer business already paying off?

Joseph Opoku has scored two goals in three Championship games [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Improvements in the wide areas topped Swansea City supporters' target list as the club entered the transfer window at the conclusion of Vitor Matos' first season. Championship golden boot winner Zan Vipotnik accounted for 40% of Swansea's 57 goals last season, with only six strikes coming from wingers. It was no surprise, then, that their second bit of summer business was to sign winger Moussa Yeo, before also striking a deal for Joseph Opoku. New Zealand international Eli Just is also capable of playing out wide, and on the evidence of the first three Championship games, the additions have paid dividends. All three goals in Swansea's 3-0 win at Derby were scored by wingers; Opoku got his second of the campaign before Eom Ji-sung and Ronald got in on the act. It means Swansea's wingers have already scored four goals this season, and are on track to surpass their numbers from last season with many games to go. Left-winger Eom was one of the three changes to the lineup at Derby, and responded by delivering his best performance in a Swansea shirt. The Korean international burst forward unchallenged to set up Opoku within 90 seconds before netting his first goal since April just before the break. Former Swansea winger Andy Robinson believes Eom's improved performance was a reaction to the battle for a starting berth out wide. "He's got it, but it's just about consistency. Swansea have spent that Ethan Galbraith money really well," Robinson told BBC Radio Wales. "They have strengthened in the wide areas and added competition for places. We are seeing the benefit of that now." Eom Ji-sung joined Swansea from Gwangju in 2024 [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Swansea will hope that Opoku's cut foot does not rule him out for any period of time. Matos would much prefer to have a selection headache. Yeo, who replaced Opoku, looked bright at Derby. He had five touches in the opposition box, more than any other player, and should have opened his account. Brazilian Ronald delivered the desired impact with a goal from the bench, drilling into the bottom corner six minutes after his introduction. "That's massive. It happened, the players coming on from the bench and having an impact, at Stoke as well," said Matos. "We had moments against Birmingham as well where we were able to change the structure and try to find a way to score. "It happened again today, and I think it shows the health of the squad, which is something that we all care about." It says a lot about their improved attacking fortunes that Swansea were 2-0 up before Vipotnik entered the pitch. If the Slovenian international remains beyond Tuesday's transfer deadline, Matos would have Vipotnik, Adam Idah and Ross Stewart to choose from. Filip Lissah spent last season on loan at Falkirk [Huw Evans Picture Agency] But maybe it is the clean sheet that will please Matos the most. Stephen Welsh and Filip Lissah combined well in the centre to deny Derby a shot on target. Academy product Lissah started the season as Swansea's starting right-back but has been shuffled across following injuries to Ben Cabango and Cam Burgess. The Czech Republic youth international won all but one of his nine duels against experienced forwards, which will please Matos and supporters. "Clean sheets are massive for the mindset. We have said from the start that we need to defend well to be able to attack better," Matos insisted. "In some moments, we could have controlled some moments better, but overall I'm really pleased with how the players fought in the hard moments and stayed compact when the game was not going our way."