The noises coming out of Norwich City this week had been combative. The result was another defeat.
Following their 7-0 humiliation at Chelsea on 23 October, Norwich faced criticism across the spectrum - that they were a club not adventurous enough, that they had a manager without a plan, that the players were not up to it.
Boss Daniel Farke and chief executive Stuart Webber both issued rallying cries and asked critics not to judge their side after nine Premier League games.
But after their 10th game, Sunday's 2-1 loss at home to Leeds, they are bottom of the table, with no wins, two points and a stack of unwanted statistics.