It's been a week of managerial philosophy, injury updates, and one genuinely historic retirement - and we've got all of it, plus a reminder that Nottingham Forest is, in fact, a football club and not a wellness retreat.
Let's start at Sunderland, where Régis le Bris is attempting to project calm before Sunday's visit of Chelsea. "It's part of the journey. It's not a comfortable period," he said, which is one way to describe a run of form that has the club conceding rather a lot of goals. "We don't like it. But at the same time, we have to show the way. Keep the energy high. When I wake up in the morning I have this energy, and I have to give it to the players. I think this morning was a bit painful once again [after last night's defeat by Dinamo Zagreb], but they are ready for the next fight."
Le Bris was candid about the problems: "We are not strong enough in duels. In transitions, man for man, we are not as solid as were last season." He also warned against the creeping menace of negativity: "We can't let the negativity creep in. It's impossible. Otherwise you kill the energy, the togetherness, the creativity." Wise words, and also a fairly accurate description of what happens when you let the group chat get going after a bad result.
On the question of whether Sunderland qualifying for Europe at Chelsea's expense on the final day of last season might have worked in the Blues' favour, the response was measured: "You could think that. I haven't thought much about it." The table, we were told, "means not too much." Sunderland, apparently, "deserve more points than they've got." It's going to be a tough game away. All present and correct.
Over at Manchester United, Carlos Baleba - the £70m summer signing from Brighton - is facing several weeks out after suffering a hamstring injury in the midweek Champions League win over Roma. He was forced off just before the break with United 2-0 down, having pulled up while charging into the Roma box. Michael Carrick declined to put a timeline on it but made the shape of things clear: "Carlos, we don't know exactly [the severity], but it'll be a number of weeks yet. Definitely not this week and not over the international break, it will be a little bit longer yet."
Baleba, who signed in late August but had to wait until 10 October to make his debut after an ankle injury in pre-season, will miss Sunday's home match against Villa, and is likely to sit out the trip to Liverpool on November 22 as well as matches against Sporting Lisbon and Brentford before the end of November. Wednesday night was his seventh appearance for United. Football remains a cruel and largely hamstring-based enterprise.
Carrick also fielded the Cole Palmer question - specifically, whether he'd spoken to Palmer about his latest England snub under Thomas Tuchel. "No. We have not spoken about that. We were speaking about our game on Sunday," Carrick said. "We are very happy with Cole. He is enjoying his game ... linking with the other attackers ... he is helping with what we want to achieve." On whether this is a test of character: "He needs to focus on this thing. His thing is to play good football ... we spoke about the red card. Most of the things about the game, about football, about what we can do better."
Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, was reflecting on Liverpool's two defeats in the past seven days, to Arsenal and then Fenerbahce. "One week ago, we were on a run, we were in a good place, a better mood," he said. "Now it changes. It has to be like this in clubs like ours. We have to react. We need the win against Palace away ... We've been in similar situations before." Asked about referees and recent decisions, he offered: "I think we are quite an honest group. Sometimes too honest. The referee said last week, our behaviour has been very good. You cannot fake things. When we complain it has to be genuine." A novel concept, complaining only when justified.
At Aston Villa, Unai Emery addressed his "vision of the future" amid speculation, having been well beaten in Barcelona on Tuesday. "My vision is to keep our consistency … be strong … keeping it consistent in our process. It's a huge challenge. But the club is involved in it. They decided last year to build a new stand, adding more supporters in Villa Park, it's a clear step forward, to get better. We are increasing our budget each year, increasing revenue, through playing in Europe, improving players, selling players … this is the process and the vision." He added of chairman Nassef Sawiris: "I had a good meeting with Nassef Sawiris … very good meeting, very positive … let's speak again next week. He is very ambitious. He is a hard worker. His commitment with the club is a huge commitment. For me it's easy to have meetings with him, because more or less, we are on the same page." The tone strongly suggested a contract extension is on the horizon.
Roberto de Zerbi of Tottenham, ahead of Leeds v Tottenham at 12.30 tomorrow, was asked whether the international break is coming at a bad time. "No. The focus for us is on the Leeds game ... one of the best stadiums in the Premier League, some of the most passionate fans … We want to complete this 'step' of the season in the best way we can. We are playing well - yes. We are making points in a row ... but we can't forget the beginning of the season, and the last season as well." Asked whether he'll still be running up and down the touchline at 70, he was honest: "I don't know, I don't know ... I think it's the best job in the world, if you love football, nothing can give emotion like to be a coach, to manage a group of players. But it's tough. I smoke too many cigarettes."
Carrick was also asked whether managers will ever get the time Alex Ferguson did when times were tough at Old Trafford, with Mark Robins inevitably mentioned. "The game evolves ... it changes," he said. "We've got to deal with what's in front of us. I understand the comparisons - but we've got to live in the present. We are all desperate to win football matches, and win them as quick as we possibly can." On whether United will ever have another period of dominance like Ferguson's: "It's not impossible. Anything is possible. The recent history that we've had and where we want to get to, it's not going to happen in the blink of an eye - it's not going to happen overnight. Success does take time and we don't like having to spend time, but it does take a period of time to build."
On the 40th anniversary of Ferguson's appointment at Old Trafford this week, Carrick was reflective: "What's not been said already? It's something worth celebrating as a club, 40 years this week since he came here, the impact ... all that he's left for others to carry forward is incredible. I am probably closer to him now, and speak more to him now, than I did when I was playing. The impact he had on me as an individual was massive ... Those habits you picked up over time from him and tried to emulate ... then you move on more into a friendship, which is really nice." The Guardian Research Department duly flagged that the news to appoint the then up-and-coming Scot from Aberdeen was worthy of the front page on 6 November 1986.
On the 3-2 win against Roma: "It's up to us to take it forward. As a one-off night it was fantastic ... to finish so strongly ... I thought we played really really well and deserved the game ... it was nice for the supporters to have that feeling ... but nothing's achieved yet, it's one moment, we need to use it to move forward. We need more of it, for sure."
In Portugal, Jorge Jesus named his first squad since Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced his international retirement on social media on Thursday, ending a Portugal career of 234 appearances and 146 goals. Portuguese FA president Pedro Proenca promised to celebrate the contribution: "No tribute will ever be enough to thank him for everything he has done for Portuguese football, for Portugal. We will do everything we can to honour the legacy he leaves us. Everything he has done deserves to be honoured and celebrated." There was no word on whether Ronaldo would agree to a farewell appearance. Jesus selected seven new faces, including five from the Under-21s, for November's Nations League matches against Wales and Denmark.
Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman, 16, has been called up to England's Under-21 squad for the first time. Previously capped at Under-17 and Under-19 level, he is already on the radar of senior boss Thomas Tuchel owing to his achievements at Arsenal. He joins Lee Carsley's group for games against Portugal and France this month. With captain Jobe Bellingham promoted to the senior set-up, midfielders Trey Nyoni, Harrison Armstrong and Divine Mukasa remain in the group following their step up from the Under-20s. Brighton's Jack Hinshelwood is named after missing the last camp due to injury. Tottenham striker Mikey Moore, on loan at FC Koln, receives his first call-up. Will Lankshear, who has scored 15 goals in 16 games since joining Middlesbrough from Spurs in the summer, misses out after missing Boro's midweek clash with Wrexham through injury. Carsley's men play Portugal on Friday 13 November and France three days later, both at Ashton Gate, preparing for next summer's Under-21s European Championship.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has called up three uncapped players for the Nations League matches against England and Czechia: Jacobo Ramon, who played in Como's record-equalling 9-1 Champions League win over Lens, plus Real Betis pair Alvaro Valles and Marc Roca. The squad is missing the injured trio of Rodri, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo.
And finally, Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has warned his players they are not at a "spa and wellness hotel" ahead of Saturday's visit of Manchester City, with the visitors themselves looking to bounce back from successive Premier League defeats. "We are not a spa and wellness hotel where you like to relax and enjoy. But of course, as I mentioned, we are also not the military. We need to find in-between. What I want is to get every player having this intrinsic motivation," Glasner said, still trying to create a culture at his new club. A reasonable ambition, and one that presumably does not involve cucumber water.