Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes put his side's draw with Dundee United down to an "off day" and added "there's not a crisis".
One thing there certainly is not is any crisis at Tynecastle.
Still top of the Scottish Premiership with a seven-point advantage after taking 30 points from a possible 36, Hearts were always likely to encounter bumps in the road as they challenge Glasgow's big two.
Nonetheless with Celtic and Rangers slowly improving their domestic form amid a run of two draws in three games for Hearts, the Edinburgh club are about to enter an interesting period after the international break.
The biggest news pre-match at Tynecastle was the absence of midfielder Beni Baningime, who had started eight league games in a row, and who is set to be out for up to six weeks.
Come full-time the McInnes felt his team missed Baningime's "calmness" in the middle of the pitch as they frantically pursued a winner.
Only Motherwell had previously left Tynecastle with a point this season due to the intensity of Heart's play.
Their ability to get the ball forward with speed and make sides defend their box has been a hallmark.
They managed 81 final third entries against United and sent in 21 crosses, but it was not accompanied with the usual composure and quality as they managed just two shots on target.
"The game lacked our usual control," McInnes told BBC Scotland.
"We got a bit more control in the second half but Dundee United still carried a threat.
"We just lacked a wee bit of quality and we needed to stay calm. We were a wee bit excitable at times. We played last-five-minute football for the majority of the second half.
"We just needed a wee bit more trust in what we do."
Baningime is Hearts' most accurate passer this season and of players who have featured regularly has also won the highest percentage of his duels.
His ability to pick passes in the heat of the battle and stop counter attacks, which United had lots of joy with, was sorely missed.
His partner in crime Cammy Devlin was outstanding again and was Hearts' most influential player, but Tomas Magnusson was less effective as Baningime's replacement.
The Icelander's passing accuracy was down at 77% and he won four of his 10 duels in a frantic and physical game.
Record-signing Ageu was at least fit enough to come on in the second half.
McInnes had picked the same side for six consecutive games until last week's win over Dundee, and his roation went off without a hitch against a passive side.
But with Baningime now out for at least the next month and Craig Halkett also suspended for the next game against Aberdeen it feels like Hearts' squad depth will be fully tested in a busy winter.
All of that comes through the prism of higher standards at Hearts after their remarkable start.
McInnes said as much after the game. Despite the impressive points haul and status as league leaders, there was no desperation to shirk the fact Hearts were slightly below their best.
The Hearts boss is experienced enough to know the peaks and troughs of a season, but made it clear that while an off day is understandable it should not be dismissed.
"I don't think we should be happy with our performance today," he said.
"We've got to own that. I'm not happy I've maybe got the team wrong but I believe the team can be better and we'll need to be better to win games.
"We're up against tough opponents week-in, week-out. We need to be on point. We're not just going to get three points because we're Hearts and top of the league.
"It's not a crisis. It's a disappointing afternoon but to get to 30 points after 12 games and be unbeaten is great shooting from the lads.
At this stage last season, next opponents Aberdeen had one more point than Hearts do now.
Jimmy Thelin's side fell apart spectacularly and finished fifth but the sense is Hearts are better equipped to avoid such a dramatic collapse.
Nonetheless their response at Pittodrie, where they have not won since 2016, will be fascinating.
