Newcastle have had some time off before the Crystal Palace clash
Eddie Howe enjoys his work on the training ground
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One thing you can't fault Eddie Howe for is lack of effort. The man lives and breathes Newcastle United and lives and breathes his job.
In the aftermath of a difficult four days, it is to be hoped, however, that he took himself completely away from the stresses and strains of managing Newcastle United.
There is a tendency among high-performing people to double down on what they are doing in times of trouble. For Howe, after an embarrassing capitulation in the Camp Nou was followed by a disastrous derby defeat against Sunderland, there would have been the temptation to head straight back to work.
This is a man, after all, who goes home after a game and immediately watches a re-run, before a second run through the following day as he looks to analyse what went right, what went wrong and where improvements can be made.
Howe's attention to detail and work ethic on the training pitch is renowned. The hours he spends alongside Jason Tindall and the rest of his coaching staff at Benton has made him the manager he is, and delivered unprecedented success in the modern era to Newcastle United. So when times are tough, the default setting is often to work even harder.
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Sometimes, however, what is needed is a step back and a reset. Taking yourself out of the firing line and refreshing both the body and mind.
That's what Howe has allowed some of his players to do this week. While several have jetted off on international duty, those who remain have been given some time away from the training ground to gather their thoughts and relax.
Joelinton posted on his Instagram story from beside a pool as he enjoyed some sun on his back. The big Brazilian is not part of his country's plans this fortnight and after struggling with a toe injury, has enjoyed a breather.
Newcastle's schedule over the last few months is well documented. They have not had a free midweek, bar international breaks, since September. The longest they went between games was six days before their Boxing Day trip to Manchester United.
It has been a relentless run which takes a toll physically but also mentally. The latter, for Howe. is key - keeping his mind fresh is as important as ensuring his players get a break.
It is to be hoped he too took himself away from the training ground for a few days - maybe not abroad, but somewhere to switch off. Newcastle aren't back in action until they face Crystal Palace on April 12 which will have been three weeks without a fixture. That allows a bit of time to wind down before the run-in to the end of the season kicks in again.
Howe has always maintained that his strengths lie in improving players on the training ground. It is almost unprecedented this season for the Magpies to have such a break between fixtures and the manager will relish the thought of working with his men on tactics and team play.
The majority of United's squad will be back on Tyneside in the middle of next week, raring to tackle the last seven games. Their manager will be ready for them - refreshed and fully focused.
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