Newcastle United's 3-1 loss to Tottenham may have been their first Premier League defeat at St James' Park since New Year's Day, but it was the Magpies' third top-flight setback in a row.
With injury concerns mounting, Steve Bruce now faces matches against Brighton and Liverpool before the season comes down on a strange campaign.
Here are the NUFC notes with just over a week of the season to go.
Season in danger of ending with a whimper
Just a few games ago it looked like Steve Bruce and his players looked capable of smashing last season's tally of 45 points and beating Rafa Benitez's total from last year.
But failure to beat Brighton next Monday may make that aim look ominous with a home game against champions Liverpool to finish off the season.
United went into post-lockdown football still aiming for the top 10 but that's now three defeats on the spin and just four wins in 18.
The narrative has quickly changed.
Therefore the only thing up for grabs for Bruce and his coaching team remains that better points tally than last term.
With injuries galore at the moment it won't be easy.
What next for ghost ship Newcastle?
United are something of a ghost ship club at the moment who could end up sailing adrift unless they find a captain soon.
Only managing director Lee Charnley watched on from the stands against Spurs with no sign of the owner or even Justin Barnes or Keith Bishop.
Newcastle's limited budget in years gone by and limited ambition behind the scenes mean the sad reality is that mid-table feels like this is as good as it will get under Mike Ashley.
Ashley has stayed quiet during the takeover saga but his hopes of cashing out at £340million feel like they are up in the air - or as long as the Premier League delay the owner's and director's tests for Amanda Staveley, the Reuben brothers and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
With clubs already starting to make moves for players for next season, United could get left behind if they aren't careful.
They only have free transfer goalkeeper Mark Gillespie signed up for next term so far but will need much more if they are to ensure they get beyond 40 points in 2020/21.
A takeover seems to be the only way to keep fans motivated at the moment after a flat finish to the season and inevitable FA Cup exit against holders Man City.
The Geordie youngster that Steve Bruce may have to call up for Brighton trip
Steve Bruce could well and truly down to the bare bones for the trip to Brighton when it comes to centre-backs.
Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar are out for the season and Ciaran Clark is still struggling with a an ankle injury, despite hopes that he could play after lockdown.
Paul Dummett is ineligible after being taken out of the squad after suffering what was deemed a "season ending" injury back in January.
Bruce could have Florian Lejuene back for the South Coast jaunt but will have to put full-back Emil Krafth on standby for a central role.
Bruce's other option?
Well, he could still hand youngster Kell Watts some game-time with the defender cleared to play despite two loan spells at Mansfield and Stevenage earlier in the season.
Watts has been a star man in the Under-23s and wouldn't let anybody down.
After so many defensive lapses could Watts do much worse?
