In the dark skies above Frank Lampard's technical area, a network of scaffolding weaves along the foundations of Craven Cottage's new stand.
Girders hang over the river banks and for Antonio Rudiger this provided the perfect setting to build some bridges, too.
For much of this season, the German's future has lingered in limbo. Here, with a rare chance to start, he collected a clean sheet and 90 minutes. But his place in purgatory looks secure for now.
In this win at Fulham, the centre back did little to suggest Lampard was wrong to shuffle his pack but it was hardly a display to leave Kurt Zouma quaking, either.