There was at least a straw or two to clutch on to after Newcastle United's heavy defeat at Manchester City.
As Steve Bruce stood in the dank weather and tried to pick up the pieces after a 5-0 defeat to last season's treble winners, it was difficult to see where the Magpies would go from here.
However, Bruce underlined the fact that when serious questions have been asked of his side - like they were last night - United have at least responded to them.
You could go back to August when Newcastle were beaten 3-1 at Norwich City but the reaction was perfect - a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur eight days later.
After the 5-0 hammering at Leicester City, the day in which bookies made Newcastle dead certs to finish bottom, they bounced back with a 1-0 win over Manchester United no less.
The New Year's Day 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Foxes at St James' Park was also followed by a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the next home Premier League game.
As the rain continued to tip down on Bruce, he said: "We have had one or two (bad) moments this year and bounced back.
"We have to be mentally better. "
Why Martin Dubravka's rant at Federico Fernandez might prove to be a good thing
The Slovakian international goalie's voice was the only one to be heard in a Newcastle shirt for long periods at the Etihad Stadium.
Dubravka was furious with the lack of solidity for the first two goals and made his views clear to Fernandez during the drinks break.
Given the proximity of the Press box and the visitors' technical area you couldn't exactly miss what was going on.
Yet Dubravka is no stranger to wading in with an opinion if something needs to be said.
Last season a last-gasp equaliser at Wolves cost Newcastle three points before the club's mid-term trip to Spain.
That night he clashed with skipper Jamaal Lascelles but the pair smoothed things over on the flight to the Costa Blanca.
There was no such sunshine trip this time around, but if the pair have had a positive conversation on the journey home then fans will hope that history repeats itself.
After making up with Lascelles, Newcastle then won two games 2-0 against Huddersfield and Burnley.
Top 10 chase is slipping away - but still accolades on the table for Magpies
United still need three points to better last season's tally of 45 points and a couple more to beat the total from the 2017/18 season.
With 12 points up for grabs, you would say that their best chance to do that would be away games at Watford and Brighton.
Two difficult home games against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are also on the fixture list.
After some memorable results and moments this season, it would be damp squib conclusion to the season if Newcastle don't better at least one of those tallies.
Why don't Newcastle just play the kids in the remaining fixtures?
Youngsters Tom Allan and Jack Young were handed bench roles at Man City but didn't get on the field.
There's a chance that one or two Premier League debuts will be handed out before the campaign is over but he reality is fielding an experimental side of youngsters is unlikely.
Bruce wants the highest position possible this season while those upstairs at St James' Park know each position is worth a seven-figure sum.
Even finishing 11th last season earned £19million in merit payments and there was a £2million drop for each position.
In the eyes of the money men there is more to play for than just pride.
