The Mail's Philip Buckingham is with Hull City at their pre-season camp in Portugal.
HULL City's 300 or so travelling supporters will have retreated to Albufeira's bars on Saturday evening able to note the things they had just learned on the back of a beer mat.
A 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday had been devoid of both incident and entertainment. As manager Steve Bruce lamented afterwards "there was nothing much to write home about."
The sunshine and refreshments offered on the Algarve were always destined to ensure it was a trip worthwhile, but City fans can return home still able to cling to memories that elevated this fixture above the ordinary.
A first appearance in City colours for new signing Danny Graham, another run-out for South African trialist Daylon Claasen and 90 minutes in the tank for summer arrivals Allan McGregor and Curtis Davies all offered up valid points of interest.
And then, rising above the general mediocrity at the Estadio Municipal De Albufeira, there was Sone Aluko.
At the end of a week that saw him back in action for the first time in the 6-0 win over Winterton Rangers, the long-term injury absentee took another promising step forwards after being cruelly felled by Achilles surgery in January.
A 30-minute cameo had Aluko twisting and turning, dropping deep hungry for the ball. A Sheffield Wednesday defence including ex-Tiger Kamil Zayatte, who is on trial at the Owls, were anything but comfortable when faced with his guile.
It needed more than Aluko's late appearance to give the contest any true meaning but Bruce knows he has an attacking ace returning to his pack for the Premier League adventure.
"You can see straight away that Sone's got that little bit of quality," said Bruce. "That's never going to change.
"The one thing he will do when he gets fitter is find that extra bit of pace to get away from his opponent that we saw so often before his injury. He'll always be that exciting type of player."
Aluko was one of the few exceptions to a tepid rule on Saturday night. It would be polite to call the Tigers' first test of pre-season more of a successful fitness exercise.
Bruce added: "It was a first real competitive game against a Sheffield Wednesday team that's probably two or three weeks ahead of us.
"I gave everyone a bit of a run out but it's not the type of game that would bring the fans back.
"There were a few players I felt did well, people like Tom Cairney in the heart of midfield. But also it was great to see Fryatt, Aluko and Dudgeon out there.
"They've all been out with long-term injuries so each step they take back to full fitness is encouraging.
"That's what these games are really about rather than the scoreline. We're two weeks in and it's four weeks to go until our first game.
"I can't wait for it. I wasn't a big fan of pre-season as a player and even less so as a manager."Danny Graham shows flashes of quality
Little more than 24 hours after being announced as a Hull City player, Danny Graham took to the field of the Estadio Municipal De Albufeira on Saturday night to begin a fresh chapter in his career.
There was warm applause for the on-loan Sunderland striker when he replaced Matty Fryatt for the final half hour.
City fans hope Graham can be the man to solve their attacking deficiencies and there were signs of his quality in key areas. Link-up play was sound and he showed good strength with defenders on his shoulder.
A half-chance was all Graham was offered inside the area. Good play between Sone Aluko and Conor Townsend down the left flank ended with a ball stood up at the back post, but his header back across goal lacked conviction under pressure.Can bright Claasen win a contract?
Countless trialists have come and gone without a deal in Hull City's recent pre-season history and it remains to be seen if Daylon Claasen has done enough to buck the trend.
The 23-year-old has spent the last two weeks with the Tigers and can expect judgment on his future at the end of the current training camp.
A chance for Claasen to impress came when introduced as a half-time substitute against Sheffield Wednesday and, to his credit, he was a useful addition to proceedings.
Slight and nimble, the South African began by replacing Robbie Brady at left wing-back before moving into midfield as the changes continued. Possession was used smartly but it was a tall order asking him to leave his imprint on a dour game.
Although Claasen may get another chance when facing Braga tomorrow night, winning a contract and a work permit is certain to be difficult.Evans hoping to face SC Braga
A groin injury kept midfielder Corry Evans out of Saturday's game, but he should be fit to play some part in tomorrow's date with SC Braga before City head home to continue their pre-season.
The Braga match kicks off in Albufeira at 8pm.
• Allan McGregor and George Boyd have been named in Scotland squad to face England on August 14.