At Newcastle United, squad unity is key. For Eddie Howe, a player's personality is nearly as important as their ability on the pitch and it is what has helped turn the Magpies into a top-six force in such a short space of time.
Yet to continue on the path of progression to title challengers and trophy winners, in time those players who have formed the bedrock of the dressing room will be moved on as the squad improves. To see the back of some who have been on the journey through the latter stages of the Mike Ashley era to the Carabao Cup Final under the new ownership will be sad, but inevitable. It is the price of success.
For now, Howe's approach of bringing in players with the right attitude has paid off - there's a bite in the team but no egos running wild. It's a testament to the transfer team that such an approach has continued in a such successful fashion. At the moment, Newcastle have a squad that is tight. Players who give their all and even when it's a bad afternoon, will not stop running or give up. Toon fans wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.
LISTEN TO THE EVERYTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE PODCAST
But at some point, those conditions will be tested. As Newcastle go from a surprise package attempting to crash the top four party to regular sitters around the Champions League table, the risk of bringing in a player who rocks the dressing room unity increases. It is another price top teams pay for the top players.
Players who sulk and throw tantrums but five minutes later do something magical to win a game. It's no secret that the very best players in the game carry an ego.
A prime example would be someone like Bruno Fernandes who showed the downside to his game as Liverpool ran wild over Manchester United. Just a few weeks ago, Fernandes put in arguably his best performance of the season against Leicester City - running the show and creating two goals in a 3-0 win for Erik ten Hag's men - but against Liverpool showed a petulant and immaturity to his game which many have labelled an 'embarrassment.'
The Portuguese international fell to the fall claiming an elbow to the face from Ibrahima Konate when it was clearly an accidental palm to his chest, he also appeared to push the linesmen as well gave up chasing Stefan Bajcetic with the ball still in play. Perhaps most alarmingly, Fernandes also seemed to gesture to the bench to substitute him in the closing minutes of the game. It was not a good look for the former Sporting Lisbon player.
Yet, some would argue that is the sacrifice you have to take if you are to field one of the world's best players. In his three years at Man United, he's hit 41 goals and created a further 31 in just 111 Premier League appearances.
There is no doubting Fernandes' quality - and he would easily walk into this Newcastle United side, offering a real quality partner alongside Bruno Guimaraes, but for many, it would be his attitude that people would question. There are growing calls for ten Hag to strip Fernandes as Man United captain - the midfielder stepping in for club captain Harry Maguire - with BBC pundit Chris Sutton telling BBC 5 Live: "I think he should never put on the armband again for Manchester United."
But will ten Hag really strip such an influential player of the armband? A player who is more than capable of winning Man United their next game through a sublime pass or set-piece and in turn make everyone quickly forget his antics against Liverpool. It goes back to the point of what do you expect from a real top player? To find one with the right attitude and ability in abundance is not easy.
Newcastle have hit lucky with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier - but can they find another pair like them? At some point, Howe and his transfer team will be shopping in top level aisle one again to ensure progression continues. Do you concede on a player having a great attitude if in return you have an end product in the way Fernandes has produced or do you continue to shop for the player without a dominating ego, and hope that what they lack in full-blown ability is made up in the squad unity and team spirit?
The answer to that may very well lie in how ten Hag deals with Fernandes' behaviour - Newcastle United will go their own path toward the top of the table but lessons will be learned from the teams already there. If ten Hag shows Fernandes the door - as many believe he should do - it might just be a nod that ability over attitude isn't always a winner.
READ NEXT
Newcastle may have £108m solution to achieve dream even if it will lead to some ruthless calls
Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland anger Lascelles but Man City pay Newcastle ultimate compliment
Newcastle building a 'world-leading' department as search launched for 'elite' FFP solution
Some Newcastle players might not feature again versus Man City as 'different' team to return
Pep Guardiola's impassioned response as Man City boss wowed by size of 'exceptional' Newcastle
