At times, it was painful.
Even the commentator's laughed at their conversation about ball boys, moments into the second halfof West Ham's 1-1 draw with Stoke last Saturday; that's how good the game was.
In fairness, things did improve, although only slightly. An own goal from Glenn Whelan finally broke the deadlock just after an hour,before a spectacular misjudgement by Hammers' goalkeeper Adrian, gifted Bojan Krkic with an equaliser, though it was a smart finish.
GOAL West Ham 1-1 Stoke (75 mins). Adrian rushes out, misses the ball & Bojan volleys home Walters' cross #WHUSTK
The goal was by no means harsh on West Ham, who had done little to warrant a lead in a match where they were second best for large periods.
The draw means they slipped down to 17thand are only a point clearof the relegation zone - hardly the start to the season many of us would have imagined after last year's bold attempt to break into the top four. Indeed, the feel good factor at the start of the campaign has well and truly evaporated.
So what's up with West Ham? Why has it all gone wrong when all was going so right? And how much of the issues are caused by the move from the Boleyn ground to the London Stadium?
The irony that West Ham's step forward to a new stadium has actually taken them backwards is quite cruel #WHUSTK
Well, as always it's hard to tell, but if the game at the weekend highlighted anything, then the biggest issue for the Hammers is that they seem to have no clear identity or vision.
The dysfunctional performance on the field was matched by hushed murmurs in the stands. Much to the embarrassment of the home fans, loud goading from sections of the away end could be heard ringing around the stadium.
We've got stoke fans singing is this a library then your telling us to sit down
"Is this a library?" they cried.
In the home crowd'sdefence, it sounds like the heavy police presence rather undermined any impassioned support from the fans.
The much larger Olympic stadium is alsounable to retain its energy and sound in the way the Boleyn ground could. With fans spread out it makes it impossible to generate noise in the same way.
But whilst the identity has somewhat diminished among fans, things are significantly moreblurry on the pitch.
Quite what the Hammers' game plan was against Stoke, only Slaven Bilic will know.
With all due respect to the Croatian, it appeared a set piece or Michail Antonio header were the only ways in which West Ham had set out to score.
Poor Andre Ayew was clearly not match fit but such was the desperation to play the striker, he was chosen ahead of the heavily maligned Simeone Zaza. Ayew was bullied all game by Stoke centre-backsRyan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi,barely touching the ball before he was taken off just after 60 minutes.
Sadly, he had little help from anyone; there simply wasn't enough creativity going forward or indeed players with enough quality on the ball.
As mentioned, West Ham were second best which is not how home matches should be. Stoke were at ease within the game, whilst Bilic's team were timid, waiting for a goal to fall into their laps(which to be fair it kind of did!)rather than hunting for one.
It hard to know how things have gone so wrong since last year. A terrible injury record hasn't helped, but the inability to sign a top class striker or playmaker in the summer is now really hurting the club.
The stats aren't looking good...
West Ham v Stoke, 15:00 GMT #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/v379PCUTdp
The new 3-4-3 formation might have stopped West Ham from leaking goals like they did so alarmingly at the beginning of the season, but it is really undermining their attacking threat.
With very little to cheer about on the pitch, it becomes hard for fans to make the kind of noise that we would expect.Bilic will argue that the players need the fans just as much, but why would you sing and support a team with no clear game plan?
It's a vicious circle but fundamentally, it's up to the manager and players to solve this problem.
West Ham's next 5 games across all competitions:
Tottenham (A)
Man Utd (A)
Man Utd (A)
Arsenal (H)
Liverpool (A)
All the best � pic.twitter.com/IsYBt9XJQR
A long season may await the Hammers if Bilic cannot find a style that suits this team. The longer the side lacks identity on the pitch, the less the London Stadium will feel like home to both players and supporters.On current form, a relegation battle may be the most likely path this season willhead down.
Don't suppose anyone knows if the Boleyn ground is still available?