The World Cup is in full swing, and seemingly the main concern for Newcastle United fans right now is figuring out how Bruno Guimaraes does not start for Brazil. The playmaker is one of six Magpies currently gunning for football's ultimate prize in Qatar.
Such is the relentless nature of this most unusual of seasons, it is strange to think it is only a fortnight since Newcastle signed off with a hard-fought home win over Chelsea. Joe Willock's goal ensured the Magpies will be third at Christmas, and talk of an unlikely push for Champions League football is growing harder to ignore.
The mini-break for those not involved at the World Cup will soon come to an end, with Eddie Howe's side once again flying to Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp. Friendlies against Al-Hilal and Rayo Vallecano precede the return to competitive action, when the Magpies face Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on December 21.
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The dust has settled on the season so far, although Newcastle's transformation from relegation favourites to top-four contenders still feels surreal for many. Magpies legend Warren Barton shares the overriding view of the Toon Army, and can not hide his delight at the start to the season.
When asked for his verdict so far, Barton told ChronicleLive: "Amazing, breathtaking I think! When you rattle off the one defeat, the teams that we've beaten and more importantly the way we've played, it has really been spectacular.
"It's about winning and getting results, and there's certain ways of doing it. But the way that they've played, the intensity and the fitness levels they've shown and the way the fans have engaged has been brilliant.
"When the takeover happened and the fans were celebrating, and then getting a couple of results, I remember saying if you can get the fans and everyone on the same page, it's a powerful thing. That's what's happening at the moment, we've got the momentum of passion, energy and fun.
"Eddie should take a lot of credit. The ownership have been sensational in the sense they have been understanding of what they needed. Bringing in a CEO, a technical director, certain players, they've made footballing decisions and that's what has been good.
"Some of these players have been outstanding, and we haven't had our big-money signing available so there's even more to come. If you're going to grade it, it's an A-plus-plus because it doesn't get any better. Expectations are high now, and that's what Newcastle should have."
The victory over Chelsea was the second success over a so-called 'Big Six' side, with the Magpies earning a fine away win at Tottenham last month. Newcastle earned a point at Old Trafford, and played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with champions Manchester City in August.
Liverpool are the only side to defeat the Magpies this term, and the last-gasp 2-1 success in August was laced with VAR controversy. Howe's side have shown a streetwise edge to their play, refusing to move away from their frontfoot approach no matter the opponent.
Barton added: "It's way beyond what we could have foreseen, but momentum is a great thing and winning and keeping clean sheets is a habit. The players just look fitter.
"They've gone into every game and tried to win it, that's a testament to Eddie. When Man City came, it was a case of going toe-to-toe. I think the fans have really appreciated that because that's what they are like, they don't back down.
"That's the thing that's really impressed me with Eddie, he's looked tactically at each team but he's never been in fear of anybody. He's respected teams but he's never gone five at the back and tried to shut up shop.
"He's enjoying the moment as well, when you're the manager of Newcastle you have to enjoy handling that expectation and pressure. At the beginning we had only won one game, but he's rode that a little bit and kept it going. Eddie has gone into every game to nullify what they do, but try and exploit what we can do."
With a near-perfect October and a run of seven wins from their last eight league fixtures, the World Cup break perhaps came at a bad time for Newcastle. It is an unprecedented reset for Premier League clubs, and one which could derail in-form sides while offering a lifeline to struggling sides.
Howe has attempted to shrug off concerns over a loss of momentum over the six-week break. However, Barton believes it should be viewed as a positive and a chance for the Magpies coaching staff to build upon their impressive work so far.
The Fox Sports pundit said: "I see it as being a way of regrouping and refocusing. Arsenal will be in the same position, they have got off to a tremendous start. You can flip it around with Chelsea and Liverpool, they can use it to kickstart their season.
"I think it's a way of regrouping and taking stock, I think Eddie will sit down and analyse to see where we are. It gives us time to sit down and speak to agents about where we are with the transfer window, where can we build again with one or two new faces?
"I take it as a positive, I don't see it as lost momentum. God forbid anyone gets injured, but everyone is in the same boat. I see it as a positive where we can enjoy a bit of break, and maybe have a bit of a reality check before going again".
The Magpies have spent in excess of £200 million in the calendar year, with record signing Alexander Isak so far only making three appearances due to injury. Howe's side have so far handled the absences of key men such as Bruno Guimaraes, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson admirably.
Speculation has mounted as to whether United's lofty position could tempt the ambitious owners to invest significantly once again in the January transfer window. However, Barton feels the club will resist the urge to move away from the measured approach which has already delivered.
The former full-back explained: "I think there's a plan regardless of what's gone on. Obviously if someone does well in the World Cup, that will get a bit of attention as well. There's always a surprise, one player who you think where did he come from?
"Our level of player now goes up, players are seeing us beat Spurs and Chelsea and want to be a part of it. Before there was that unknown, it's why Kieran Trippier will always be a fans' favourite. He was the first to make that step, leaving Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone after winning the La Liga, and believe in what we're doing.
"It's a big signing for the club, because everybody knew he was a proper high-level player, and it has that knock-on effect. Now, where we are, we can attract that next-level player which are Champions League players."
Expectations is always a tricky subject to address at St James' Park, with a stunning end to last season contributing to predictions ranging from a Champions League spot to another mid-table finish. Howe has refused to publicly outline targets beyond winning the next game, although the dressing room has been more receptive to talk of European football in recent weeks.
One ambition the Magpies boss has not hidden away from however is the prospect of landing the club's first piece of major silverware in six decades. Barton does not feel the sensational start should distort the team's initial Premier League expectations, but reckons a 'good cup run' is required for the season to be judged a success.
He added: "I always said we need to have good cup run. Regardless of where we are now, it's totally unique from any other season we've experienced.
"If we can end up where we are now, we'd snap your hand off but let's just enjoy the moment. If we end up finishing seventh and having a good cup run, I still think it's been a phenomenal season."
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