Chelsea boss Antonio Conte can afford a blip like Liverpool on Friday night - he cannot afford it to become the norm.
There were angry fans at Stamford Bridge after the 2-1 defeat, and one even passed the press box asking if anyone wanted two seasons tickets.
It all seemed a bit premature, and when compared to the days of yore downright unreasonable.
To anyone with loyalty stretching back to 1978-79, the would-be seller's bile would have raised a chuckle: Chelsea finished bottom of Division One, with 13 home league defeats, and without a home league win for almost four months.
Yet the home match that season against Liverpool attracted a crowd within 1,000 of the mandatory sell out we get for every game today.
Now, it's all about instant results - and Conte knows it.
The name of Cesc Fabregas, in particular, was sung long and loud as a reminder to the manager that he had expensive match-winning options on his bench.
The former Azzurri head coach later explained that he thought his starting side was growing in confidence and ability throughout the match, and that is why he left it so late.
Though he seemed mistaken in just how late he had left it: apparently of the belief that his triple substitution gave the new set-up 10 to 15 minutes to settle, while the actuality was that they had only seven.
This is further evidence of the battle Conte is fighting between time taken to implement his new system and the more direct game he sees as a short-term necessity when saving both face and points.
But even personnel involved in the switch caused disaffection: people wanted to see Fabregas, yes; but if directness was needed, they also wanted to see popular new striker Michy Batshuayi.
Instead, they got Victor Moses and Pedro.
Only the dreamers expect a league trophy in May; but club ownership included, they will expect a respectable league finish – top four the most oft quoted target.
Though, more than that, they will want to see evidence of a coach who can manage his resources – win, lose or draw – to get the best possible performance, out of the best possible combination of players.
Lasers, dramatic music and billowing smoke seemed more fit for a rock concert than a football match; and once the whistle was blown, Chelsea were revealed to be very much their guests' support act.
From the off, and for not far short of 90 minutes, Conte's side were second best - and not by a shallow margin.
