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Given time, would Paul Clement have gotten Derby County promoted?

New Swansea City manager Paul Clement poses after the press conference (REUTERS)
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The Swansea City boss has so far demonstrated fantastic managerial ability in the Premier League.

With Derby County fans struggling to decide how to feel after a manic 3-3 draw at home to Bristol City, Swansea City’s Premier League resurgence under former boss Paul Clement may feel like a punch to the gut.

The Rams are currently 8th in the Championship, five points behind 6th placed Sheffield Wednesday, and found themselves 3-0 down to the Robins at half time before staging an impressive comeback.

Derby's Darren Bent in action with Norwich's Wes HoolahanDerby’s Darren Bent scored twice to help his side claim a 3-3 draw with Bristol City

The very next day, Clement’s Swansea breezed past relegation rivals Leicester City with a 2-0 win, taking them four points clear of the drop zone.

Clement was sacked at Derby following a seven match winless run, yet the club were fifth in the Championship and only five points behind then leaders Hull City, in what seemed – and still seems – a very premature move.

Swansea City manager Paul Clement celebrates after Swansea City's Fernando Llorente (not pictured) scoresSwansea City manager Paul Clement celebrates a goal

Rams fans could be forgiven for thinking ‘what might have been’, given their loss certainly seems to have been Swansea’s gain – the Swans had won three out of 19 before Clement arrived, but have now won three out of his six league games in charge.

If Swansea manage to survive and if Derby again fail to get promoted, the ‘what if?’ argument will only strengthen.