Well, that was frustrating, wasn't it? An international break is usually met with unanimous groans but there will be few people of Newcastle United persuasion decrying the current Premier League hiatus.
Bournemouth recorded a deserved win over a battered and bruised Toon outfit, with the final 20 minutes laying bare just how brutal the injury situation is. A mixture of tired bodies and debutants laboured on helplessly as Newcastle stuttered on the south coast.
Just five players will be whisked away on international duty before the season resumes against Chelsea, giving most of Eddie Howe's squad ample time to rest up. It will be ice baths and massages all around for a depleted United squad who have endured a gruelling start to the campaign.
But what else can Newcastle learn from the loss to Bournemouth? Injuries may have bore most of the burden for losing but were there any other factors at play?
How can Newcastle improve? ChronicleLive has profiled three lessons to take from the 2-0 defeat.
Gordon isn't a striker
While he has excelled from out wide, Gordon is yet to show his capabilities as a striker. The 22-year-old has arguably been the Magpies' best player this season, kicking on from his England under-21 exploits in the summer.
He led the line throughout that tournament but doing so in the professional ranks at Premier League level is a different story. For a player relying on pace and his ability to beat a defender, Gordon lacks the physicality and composure to play up front.
That is not to suggest he cannot adapt to the role as his career progresses but, right now, Gordon looks like a square peg in a round hole. The effort cannot be questioned but Newcastle need their talisman "running down the wing" as the popular fan chant goes.
Only the ongoing injury crisis has forced Howe to field Gordon through the middle. Few would be against signing a third-choice striker - even if that were on loan - in January.
Investment needed in January
It is not just a possible striker Newcastle should be targeting in the new year. As it stands, a winger and another centre-back are likely higher up the priority list.
Supporters' hearts were in their mouths when Fabian Schar went down early on Saturday. Had he come off, it would have been anyone's guess who would partner Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of defence.
There were already whispers about who might arrive as Schar's long-term replacement, with the defender turning 32 next month. Sven Botman's absence already highlighted the need for another reinforcement, never mind when Dan Burn suffered his back injury 10 days ago.
Perhaps more importantly, Newcastle need more options in attacking areas. Of course, injuries have reached unprecedented levels, but Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy remain the club's best options from the right flank when everyone is fit.
Is that really going to sustain a Champions League place? When a crisis hits the Toon ranks, they have few options to turn to, hence youngsters like Ben Parkinson being thrown into the deep end.
Liverpool boast Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, with players like Dominik Szoboszlai also able to fill in out wide if needed. Newcastle can kick on under Howe but he needs to be given more tools for the job once the transfer market opens.
Rotten away form needs addressing
The 3-0 triumph over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup gave Geordies a night they will never forget but do not let that mask over Newcastle's poor away form. Since April, the Magpies have won just once on the road in the Premier League - the 8-0 annihilation of Sheffield United.
Howe's side were third in the top flight's away table last season. This time around, they are languishing in 15th place. Clubs like Crystal Palace, Everton and Brentford are faring better than Newcastle away from home this season.
Games at Brighton and Bournemouth were as poor as United have looked since the Saudi-backed ownership arrived while four points were dropped at West Ham and Wolves combined. This under-the-radar concern needs addressing if Newcastle are to have any hope of repeating last year's heroics.
Largest Football Social Network