Yet another draw - enough to build a bedside cabinet - proved two things. First and foremost that Newcastle are only a real force when all their key players are fit and available. Here Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin were missing yet again and the usually hugely influential Bruno Guimaraes was short of match sharpness after his hamstring lay off. That left United's team and bench looking light.
Secondly a vastly disappointing result and performance told me that, far from worrying if £60m Alexander Isak can play with Wilson when he returns, it is probably what he actually requires.
Isak is not an orthodox, physical, hold the ball up and outmuscle central defenders target man but is more a linker of play who wants to drift wide either side and play across the line.
READ MORE: 'A lot of work to do' - Eddie Howe outlines Newcastle's international break plan before 'key spell'
That in my opinion means he could easily start from a wider base and support Wilson's tradition line leading rather than be merely a replacement for him during lengthy spells of injury.
Isak is a talented boy, no question, but he is young and therefore still learning. As Alan Shearer said upon his signing he is not yet the finished article. Despite his fee Isak has to grow into life here.
Two home games have proved that playing as he has against massed defences and, funnily enough, it could be that Isak will get more joy initially in away matches when United counter attack with defenders less tightly packed as at Liverpool.
I hope so with Fulham away next up after the international break. Maybe the Swede is beanpole tall but he is exactly that, not built of muscle, and is realising that the Premier League is a physical land of confrontation especially for centre-forwards. He will learn to survive as Peter Crouch did and then his skills will come into play.
The overall conclusion, like it or not, is that one victory out of seven Premier League matches is not a good enough return. Maybe United have lost only once but the more dominant fact is that the Mags have not managed three points since the opening day of the season.
Whatever way it is dressed up failing to beat Crystal Palace and Bournemouth back to back at home leaves a good bit to be desired amid all the hype and optimism which has abounded because so much that was wrong has been put right.
What adds to the reality is that United have failed to score from open play in both their last two matches despite being at home against mediocre opposition.
It tells you what needs to be done in January - the back is by and large firmly battened down but Newcastle need a locksmith further upfield to unpick opposing defences. Creators as well as finishers.
Bournemouth, a team which has shipped a barrowload of goals this season, were naturally more than happy to string five across the back and let their hosts play in front of them.
Every Newcastle player did what is predictable when it required a dash of off-the-cuff swagger which is what Maxi can provide as he did at Wolves when all seemed lost. Maybe he has faults but his absence makes the heart grow fonder!
It is no good having 73 per cent possession, 20 shots to 10 with seven to three on target, and eight corners to one if it takes a penalty to haul you from behind onto level terms for a point.
Oh that United could change their appearance as decisively as their boss. He went from a sombre black suit for the Queen's tribute to a tracksuit before the game even kicked off but United were unable to change a thing when it became obvious their original plan was definitely not working.
This was United's poorest display of the season by a country mile. They were too passive, played at too slow a pace, and with a total lack of wide ranging ideas.
Ryan Fraser and Miggy Almiron produced no threat or creativity from the flanks, midfield operated in a strait jacket of predictability, and Isak was ineffectual.
He put his penalty away brilliantly under obvious pressure but generally Bournemouth were comfortable against him.
Five draws from seven starts tells its own story. Yes, it was a magnificent result against Manchester City but Bournemouth, Palace, Wolves, and Brighton should not have you quaking in your boots if ambition is backed by a cheque book. Four points from 12 on offer in those fixtures is a modest return.
We are grateful for what has happened overall in our name, of course we are, but there is much work to be done when hostilities resume. United's hierarchy will look for that and Howe will demand that.
READ NEXT
Newcastle panic after Isak celebration, two words screamed in anger and 'frustrated' Eddie Howe
There are no excuses - Eddie Howe's honest verdict to Newcastle United players
Isak commitment, Joelinton tactic, Trippier passion - Newcastle United moments you may have missed
Newcastle United notes: Isak pulls rank on Bruno, Joelinton's close shave & Howe proves he's in zone
Bruno Guimaraes opens up on injury woe after niggle turned into three-match Newcastle United absence
