Swansea City's fourth defeat in five matches prompted Vitor Matos to perform the chin-up gesture which was once made famous by Chris Gunter.

Welsh football fans will need no reminding that Gunter put his hand beneath his chin after Wales' defeat by England at Euro 2016.

Wales, of course, bounced back in some style a decade ago, and Matos is looking for a response now after the most difficult run of his Swansea reign.

Matos' team were beaten by a late goal at Birmingham City on Saturday when it seemed for a while like they would claim a very creditable point.

The Blues have been in sparkling form, and are particularly formidable on their patch.

Yet Swansea missed a penalty – and hit the woodwork – before Marko Stamenic's 26th-minute red card turned the contest in the home side's favour.

Jay Stansfield quickly opened the scoring – and Birmingham came close to stretching their lead before half-time – but Swansea hung on in there and levelled through Christoph Klarer's own goal.

Birmingham looked short of attacking inspiration after the break until an 87th-minute corner was not dealt with and Stansfield rattled in his second of the afternoon to send Chris Davies' team top of the table and Swansea down to sixth.

The Swans made a spectacular start to this league campaign, losing only one of their first 10 league games.

Then came defeats to West Ham United and - in embarrassing fashion – Queens Park Rangers before a thumping home victory over Blackburn Rovers last weekend lightened the mood.

It will be a little gloomier over the international break, however, after back-to-back away losses at Portsmouth and Birmingham, both of which came as the result of late goals.

The good news, of course, is that Swansea remain nicely placed in the table, with just three points separating Matos' men and the new leaders.

Not only that, but there were elements of Swansea's display at Birmingham – their greater threat with 11 men, and their resilience with 10 – which offer hope for the fixtures ahead.

"When you have this type of performance, this type of mentality, for sure you will come back," Matos declared at St Andrew's.

Nothing will come easy as Swansea look to turn their form around, however.

West Bromwich Albion, who are fifth, are up next before a trip to second-placed Middlesbrough.

And then comes the fixture which matters most, against Brian Barry-Murphy's improving Cardiff City side.

It would be a demanding week at the best of times.

After their recent struggles, Swansea must dig deep if they are to ensure chins stay high.