This was a flavour of how sour it would have turned inside St James' Park last season, had supporters been there to express their distaste.
'We want Brucie out' was the song of choice, a response to their team yet again hitting the flattest of notes — Southampton, for the record, had 65 per cent possession and 22 shots.
It felt as if the jukebox was jammed during a period in the first half when four renditions left Steve Bruce in no doubt as to the volume of fan feeling against him.
The head coach said last season how much he missed the presence of supporters.