More than 7,000 Newcastle United supporters were asked what were the positives at the club in our latest survey. While the majority said there were 'none', tellingly, one player's name did crop up a few times: Allan Saint-Maximin.
it is easy to see why given some of Saint-Maximin's performances of late. As disappointing a start as this has been from 18th-placed Newcastle, you really do wonder where the Magpies would be without their talisman after he was directly involved in two-thirds of their goals this season.
Encouragingly, too, Saint-Maximin has managed to play a full 90 minutes in all of Newcastle's five league games without any after-effects.
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In fact, Saint-Maximin has already completed as many matches this season as he did during the whole of the previous campaign and, clearly, the forward has benefited from his first proper pre-season with the club.
Saint-Maximin, after all, only joined Newcastle a few days before the start of the season in 2019. Then, last year, Saint-Maximin and his team-mates did not have the chance to properly prepare for the new campaign because there was such a small window between the previous season ending and the new one starting.
That was not the ideal foundation to build from as Saint-Maximin continued to adjust to the rigours of the Premier League.
Given how Saint-Maximin is such an explosive player, who once suffered a hamstring injury after clocking up a speed of 36.8km/hr, the Frenchman is more susceptible to muscle issues.
However, without tempting fate, it looks like Saint-Maximin now has the ideal base to build from and the 24-year-old is, arguably, producing his best, most consistent run of form in a black-and-white shirt.
Rival managers already knew that Saint-Maximin could take Newcastle up the field quickly - his name constantly comes up in opposition analysis meetings - but, now, crucially, he is also making a real difference in the final third and that has not gone unnoticed.
Whereas Saint-Maximin was often guilty of holding onto the ball for too long or attempting one dribble too many, it is noticeable how the Frenchman is now affecting games - and relishing that responsibility.
Saint-Maximin regularly talks about helping his 'partners' and as well as scoring two goals this season, the Magpies' talisman has laid on two quality assists for Callum Wilson and Javier Manquillo.
All four of those goals were meaningful at the time: Saint-Maximin put Newcastle in front against Southampton and drew his side level against Leeds while his assists against West Ham and Manchester United made it 1-0 and 1-1 respectively.
Without Saint-Maximin's contributions, the black-and-whites would be pointless and rooted to the foot of the table.
That can read one of two ways: Newcastle are far too reliant on Saint-Maximin or he is now stepping up on a regular basis to help his side earn points. Perhaps, it is a bit of both.
Scouts will inevitably be taking note. It was one thing Saint-Maximin being one of the best dribblers in the league but if he can produce these kinds of numbers consistently in a struggling side, that will make him a target for a number of clubs.
However, Newcastle have protected themselves, after rewarding Saint-Maximin with a new six -year contract last season, and it is important to stress how much the forward loves the clubs and its supporters.
Saint-Maximin has admitted, himself, that the reason he stayed last summer was because of the fans and you cannot underestimate that bond.
Sure, Saint-Maximin could go to another club higher up the table but would he find the same love when he's not the main man anymore?
That is not to say that Newcastle should not do all they can to keep hold of him, however, and Saint-Maximin wants to see some sign of moderate ambition rather than merely fighting for survival every year.
Bringing Joe Willock back on a permanent basis was a positive move, but Newcastle ultimately did not strengthen their squad and several, quality additions will be needed in 2022.
Otherwise, how do Newcastle expect to keep someone like Saint-Maximin happy?
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