Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe did not have to deal with an angry queue of players after naming his team for the clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In what was deemed an important night of the season for Newcastle and a potentially pivotal moment for Howe following a poor run of results in early 2023, the former Bournemouth boss made some big calls against Wolves. Make no doubt about it, Howe had to change things after a run of three straight defeats in all competitions and five matches without a win.
Yet Chronicle Live understands that the players have massive faith in the coaching staff and there is a major "buy-in" to Howe's methods. Unlike previous regimes communication is key behind the scenes at Benton these days, and those not in contention are told exactly why and assured that they will get their opportunity on other days.
READ MORE: Newcastle United notes: Almiron's perfect response to being benched and Botman's late lesson
With 13 crunch fixtures to come, Howe will give them plenty of chances to impress when the time is right. Even the players who weren't involved left the ground happy while coach Graeme Jones had a big hug for soon-to-be departing analyst Mark Leyland, set for Man City later this year, as the squad left the pitch.
For the next two months, there can be no divisions and no sulking from players not in the starting line-up. And everybody at the first team training base from the captain Lascelles down is subscribed to Howe's selection calls.
When asked about one of his most changed line-ups since taking over as boss, Howe said: "I don’t think it’s a major issue. We were rotating our team and freshening it up.
"Miggy has played near enough every game. We felt it was right to give Jacob a chance, he’s done really well from the bench in recent weeks.
"Miggy responded as only he would because he’s got an incredible attitude. I’m so pleased he scored the winning goal. It’s a fitting reward for his season."
Newcastle also had to move away from their Wembley hangover after defeat in the Carabao Cup final. The club had to pre-book a huge function room at the Hilton Hotel outside the venue of legends last month win or lose.
Only Howe was barely in it, and instead spent time after the defeat against Manchester United looking for answers. That function room could have been the scene for celebrations instead it was a room full of reflection.
Howe was immediately back to work after the loss to Man City last weekend. But his meticulous planning, helped greatly by Leyland with the required video clips and data, paid off just eight days later.
Just last weekend, you wondered which direction the season was heading in. From being talked about as title contenders and cup winners at one stage to drifting away from the Champions League places was one thing.
But after the defeat at Man City, with other teams playing catch up, there was talk of Newcastle missing out on Europe all together last week. It left Howe and his coaching team looking for a response and they found on the back of a raft of changes.
It started with a bold call to bench Jamaal Lascelles who had done nothing wrong in terms of performance against City despite a 2-0 defeat. The skipper was replaced by the returning Fabian Schar in a massive show of faith to the Swiss centre-back after a below-par couple of weeks.
Schar repaid Howe with one of his best shows of the season against Wolves with a no-nonsense display having shaken off a head wound suffered at Wembley. Miguel Almiron was another to learn he'd been dropped for the clash against Wolves.
The top scorer had netted 10 times before yesterday but had gone off the boil in recent weeks and has been unable to replicate his pre-World Cup form that resulted in him enjoying a clean sweep of individual awards. But Almiron accepted his fate and quietly vowed to impress when given further chances.
Well, it didn't take long for Almiron to deliver taking just 12 minutes to score the winning goal before pointing to the badge in a show of togetherness at St James' Park. Before that Jacob Murphy had come in and put in a solid shift without scoring but managing five crosses in the match.
Howe's other big decision was whether to leave Callum Wilson on the bench and start Alexander Isak and again the selection call paid off with the Sweden international bagging his fourth of the season. After mulling over a change in system - with 4-4-2 coming into conversation recently - Howe opted for a change in personnel instead and it paid off.
On a difficult day in terms of selection, Howe also had to replace Joelinton with Joe Willock and the former Arsenal player, who provided an assist for Almiron to win it, was many people's vote for man of the match. The other selection poser was who replaced Anthony Gordon with Allan Saint-Maximin impressing in flashes but not at his brilliant best.
But it all starts again in training later this week. That is the platform in which players get the chance to bid for their first team places each weekend.
Howe used Isak as an example, and said: “It was great to play Alex from the start, I think he’s deserved that, not just for how he’s played in recent weeks but also for how he’s trained."
The next aim for Newcastle is to sign off for the international break on the back of a win. They get the opportunity to do that nice and early with a Friday night game at Nottingham Forest.
Win that, and Newcastle are taking their fight to get in the Champions League into the final dozen matches. And everybody is dialled in on the same objective.
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