And so it continues. Bristol City not winning at home an all-too familiar feeling and those initial flushes of optimism that fell over fans as they walked up to Ashton Gate on Saturday following the international break soon disappeared as Bournemouth delivered a football lesson.
In truth, the Robins did well to emerge with just a two-goal deficit, such was the gulf in quality between the sides and the Cherries, as they hunt automatic promotion, should feel aggrieved they weren't able to score more.
Unlike the previous five games at BS3 in 2021/22, this was a performance in which Nigel Pearson was unable to make the point that, on another day, it could have been a different result as Scott Parker's Bournemouth were superb in all departments.
The killer second goal by Jordan Zemura moments before half-time eradicated any chance City had of getting back into the contest. As the left-back drove his shot into the roof of the net, the prospect of the Robins scoring twice in the second period looked remote at best.
The loss of Joe Williams to injury had compounded the hosts' problems as, without Han-Noah Massengo, there wasn't the required energy and bite in the tackle as Matty James - who manfully stuck to his task but was often over-matched - and Andy King were often bypassed by the Cherries incisive attacking.
There wasn't a great deal for City supporters to take away from the contest other than it emphasised how far away they are from being a promotion-challenging team. But that shouldn't really be a consideration in what is "year one" of Pearson's project.
While City boast the second-best away record in the Championship, only two teams have been worse in their own stadium this season - Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest. And only Swansea have scored fewer on home soil than City's paltry three.
Fans vented their frustration at full-time but there was also some gallows humour among the Robins faithful.
City do have a quick opportunity to try and turn things around with Nottingham Forest the visitors to BS3 on Tuesday night and avoid a 17th game on the spin without victory.
Pearson insists he doesn't feel any anxiety around the changing room surrounding the statistic, and the players have consistently played down the situation. But for the 18 or so thousand who only watch the Robins at home and don't see them win on the road, it's deeply significant.
