Nottingham Forest were a pretty bleak bleak watch on Wednesday night. And social media was even bleaker.
There was anger, frustration, apathy. And some big questions being asked.
Norwich City set the standard. They were absolutely streets ahead of the Reds on Wednesday night - it’s why, come the new season, they will also be in a different league.
The best that could be said about Forest is they were able to keep it to a 2-0 scoreline when it looked at one stage like their opponents could rack up a cricket score.
It was game over after 13 minutes, and almost a case of damage limitation.
The hosts did give it more of a go in the second half, although they had set themselves a low bar. But even that wasn’t nearly enough to get the Canaries breaking into a sweat.
If that is the level required to secure promotion, the Reds have a long way to go.
In reality, not every team which reaches the top-flight does it by being as utterly dominant as Norwich. Just as there are different ways to win games, so there are different means of going up.
Even Daniel Farke’s side won’t play like that every week, with the boss saying afterwards that was one of his team’s “best performances” of the season.
As brilliant as they were, Forest were poor. After an early blitz, it was a stroll for the Canaries.
In other games against the top six, Hughton’s men have been closer - at least in terms of performances - but have struggled to claim results.
Their relegation worries have not yet been completely calmed, but many fans have been debating just how the club goes about bridging that gap.
Not this year. This term is all about securing safety in the remaining games, and at least trying to put some building blocks in place.
But by the time August rolls around, the expectation again will be of a promotion push.
Unbelievably, some - albeit a small minority - have already suggested another change in manager is required for that to happen.
That is a damaging cycle. And one Forest need to break if they are to get anywhere.
Hughton - a man who knows what it takes to get out of the division - has been in charge for just 35 games; winning 11, drawing 11 and losing 13.
He took on a team which had lost its opening five matches of the campaign and which was reeling from last season’s horrific collapse.
He has steadied the ship. In general, he has made the Reds harder to beat and if he keeps them up, it will simply be job done.
Nobody is under any illusions there is still a heck of a lot of progress which needs to be made.
Hughton has not yet had a proper transfer window in which to work, however. That will come in the summer. January was a quick-fix; the next one will be about planning ahead.
It was already looking like being a big window, and its importance only grows with each passing week.
There will be big changes. There has to be. Lessons must have been learned from 12 months ago, though, when a massive overhaul only added to the club’s travails.
The emphasis must be on quality over quantity. Pick out key players who can make a big difference.
To reach the standard of Norwich doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time.
They stuck by their manager when it would have been easy to dismiss him. They have identified a way of playing and are well equipped to deliver it. They have a squad packed with quality.
They are what other teams in the Championship aspire to.
They gave the Reds a schooling on the City Ground pitch, and could teach them one or two other lessons as well.
