For Eddie Howe, Newcastle United's warm-weather training camp could be the calm before the storm - or at least the calm before a barnstorming finish to the season.
The Magpies are now heading back to Tyneside after their week-long stay in the United Arab Emirates after flying out straight after the 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest. And there's been plenty to reflect after a hard fought campaign so far.
In eight of the 10 months of this long - World Cup interrupted 2022/23 season - Newcastle have mixed it with the big boys and arguably punched way above their weight. Last season the Magpies spent most of the campaign in a relegation dogfight.
This season they have spent just two weeks out of the Premier League's top 10 and just never dropped out of the top six since October. At their best, they sat in second place on Boxing Day, but even after a tougher run of games, they have slipped no lower than fifth in recent weeks.
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But now the season boils down to the most decisive period of all - the run-in. Howe has "toned down" the noise around the Newcastle camp in the past week or so and the players have quietly got on with things at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.
Unlike their previous visit to the Middle East, there has been no fanfare, no Press conference and no open training sessions. In Riyadh in December journalists were invited to chat casually with players, officials and staff at their team hotel in Saudi Arabia.
However, there is a time and a place for media activity and with Howe set to face 24 more Press conferences before and after games in April and May, there will be plenty of time to talk. Whatever way you look at the run-in, it always proves to be a slog and Howe and his staff took the last opportunity of the season to allow the players some downtime before sessions this week.
After the heroics against Wolves then Nottingham Forest - resulting in two crucial wins - Howe knew it was time to calm down. Firing his squad for nearly a fortnight before the next clash against Man United would have crazy.
Instead, they start the bulk of their work back at Benton next week before the international players drift back in on Thursday and Friday ahead of the Sunday game at St James' Park. Before you know it, the season will be back at fever pitch.
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