When Eddie Howe was forced to miss his first match as Newcastle manager because of Covid, he did something not known until now.
Rather than watch the game from his hotel room in the comfort of pyjamas, given he was floored by the virus, he instead changed into his full matchday tracksuit. It was, on reflection, an indication of the diligence and endearingly nerdy obsession that has taken his club from bottom to top.
They drew 3-3 at home to Brentford that day and, if Howe did drink, he would have emptied the minibar, so calamitous was some of the defending.