From a footballing perspective, an unexpected month-long break would have been welcomed by Leeds United last season. At one point in 2021-22, the Whites had Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper sidelined at the same time.
Injuries were largely - but not solely - to blame for Leeds suffering second-season syndrome and being embroiled in a razor-close relegation fight. Pausing the fixture list would have been a blessing for Marcelo Bielsa at the twilight of his Elland Road reign.
However, it is hard to draw any on-field positives from the recent lull in action given Leeds' solid, but not spectacular, start to the campaign. Premier League football halted last weekend as a show of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
