Newcastle United's victory over Brighton extended the Magpies' unbeaten Premier League run to eight matches and lifted the club seven points clear of the relegation zone. But despite this transformation from a winless outfit into one of the division's form sides, there is still one question which Eddie Howe has had to face on an almost weekly basis.
Bruno Guimaraes was seen as the marquee January arrival when he completed a move from Lyon in what could become a club-record deal. The only signing not to possess Premier League experience, the midfielder was tipped to bring the style to accompany the solidity delivered by the likes of Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Chris Wood.
Newcastle had just won only their second match of the season when a switch for the Brazil international was sealed, and a further four wins have been added in the 38 days since his arrival. Perhaps even more surprisingly however, Guimaraes has featured for just 39 minutes in these last five matches and is yet to earn his first start in black-and-white.
There were indications from the outset that Howe was hoping to ease in his 'priority' target who confidently outlined his ambition to win the Champions League in his St James' Park unveiling. However, an astonishing run of form which seemed impossible just a month ago has made a slow introduction the only realistic option.
Newcastle have found a winning formula in midfield from the squad already at Howe's disposal. Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton are living up to the head coach's early billing, while Joe Willock has rediscovered the goalscoring touch which convinced the former regime to break their transfer rules last summer.
The shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Cambridge United afforded Howe the chance for a mid-season break and a week to prepare for each fixture. Barring a handful of injuries, results and performances have made it easy for the Magpies boss to stick with an unchanged eleven.
Guimaraes was therefore a victim of timing, a solution to a problem area transformed into a position of strength. The midfielder tipped to become a cornerstone of Newcastle's ambitious rebuild over the coming seasons has been made to wait by the old guard.
Excited early calls for Howe to start Guimaraes in a £100m trio have quietened in recent weeks in recognition of the current midfield's effectiveness. The only lingering frustration has been the timing of the initial cameo appearances, with the head coach waiting until the final minutes to introduce the holding midfielder.
The bulk of Guimaraes' minutes came at the Brentford Community Stadium where the Brazil international was allowed to dictate proceedings against 10 men with a two-goal cushion. Howe turned to the number 39 again to help see out the latest victory against Brighton, although a couple of confident turns in the closing minutes led to a 'luxury' tag being dismissed.
The Newcastle boss told reporters: "That's him and that's been him in every little cameo he has given. He has shown what he will bring. My heart was in my mouth when he did that little pirouette on the touchline, but that is Bruno. He is an out and out footballer.
"He also won the ball back for us at a couple of key moments from a defensive perspective so he can certainly do a bit of everything. He's not a luxury player."
Howe will likely be loathe to unsettle a winning team, and in an ideal scenario Guimaraes would likely have to settle for further cameo appearances. But an unkind rescheduling decision has left the Magpies facing up to three away trips in the space of eight days.
Southampton are the first test on Thursday night, and Newcastle will be aiming to become the first visiting side to taste success at St Mary's Stadium since September. Champions League holders Chelsea and a clash with relegation rivals Everton then follow.
It is almost impossible to expect a midfield trio who have impressed through their industry to start all three matches. The decision has almost been taken out of Howe's hands, and the soft launch of Guimaraes' Newcastle career will likely be given its grand opening on the road.
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