Allan Saint-Maximin had nowhere to go after being cornered by Ivan Balliu and Isi Palazon deep in Rayo Vallecano's half just before the break. However, rather than throw his arms up in the air in frustration, as he so often did when he lost the ball in the past, Saint-Maximin raced to win back possession for Newcastle United on Saturday with a superb sliding challenge by the touchline to earn a round of applause from Eddie Howe at St James' Park.
"We are working with him on quite a few aspects of his game - that would be one of them," Howe told reporters after the 2-1 friendly win. "His attitude to that work has been very good. He's focused.
"You could see he started the game really well and, for the first 15, 20 minutes, he was excellent. The most important thing for me was in the latter stages of the game, he was still working and running and playing for the team, so positive signs for Maxi. He's another player that can build from that game."
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Whether Saint-Maximin's overall performance impressed Howe enough to start Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Bournemouth remains to be seen. Supporters appear divided, as is often the case with Saint-Maximin, but if Newcastle are to get to where they want to go, they will not just need a starting front three but a number of game-changers on the bench, too. That is exactly what Newcastle will soon possess with Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Miguel Almiron and Saint-Maximin among those who will soon be pushing each other when they will all be fully fit for the first time together.
Each forward has their own individual quality and while Saint-Maximin is a player who can frustrate, there are few like him when it comes to pulling a rabbit out of the hat. That is all the more important when teams attempt to sit in and frustrate at St James' like Crystal Palace and Bournemouth did when Saint-Maximin was sidelined earlier this season.
These games, in particular, are when Saint-Maximin can make a difference with his ability to carry the ball forward, beat a man, attract markers or do something special. Indeed, despite only making four top-flight starts this season, Saint-Maximin has been directly involved in 14% of Newcastle's Premier League goals.
Of those who have filled in on the left for Newcastle this season, when Saint-Maximin has been injured, whether it is Jacob Murphy, Joelinton or Ryan Fraser, no one has come close to the Frenchman's haul of a goal and three assists. On the flipside, what Murphy and Joelinton, in particular, offer off the ball is extremely valued by Howe and Saint-Maximin won't simply be carried in this side as he is already well-aware.
There lies the delicate balance that Howe has faced since taking charge. How do you get through to Saint-Maximin and get more out of the mercurial forward out of possession without losing those qualities that make him so effective on the ball when he is on song?
There have at least been signs that the penny has dropped for a player who it is easy to forget is still coachable at 25. Take Saint-Maximin's last Premier League start in the 1-1 draw at Wolves back in August when the Frenchman sprinted the length of the field to help his team-mates defend a 3 v 1 situation late on. Just a few minutes later, Saint-Maximin scored a stunning equaliser at the death.
Was it a sign of things to come? We will soon find out.
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