A spirited finish could not compensate for yet another disappointing defeat for West Ham in today's early Premier League fixture against Spurs.
With four points taken from their first six games this season, Slaven Bilic's third season in charge of the Hammers may well be his last.
In what would be a difficult farewell for the fan's favourite, Bilic's former teammate and current coach Julian Dicks spoke about the pair's relationship with the Mirror prior to this afternoon's derby clash.
With the exception of one season spent playing for Graeme Souness's Liverpool, Dicks spent a combined 10 years with the London club.
Although Bilic only shared about a year and a half of this time with Dicks at Upton Park, the latter has fond memories of the Croatian who became his roommate:
We got on really well - we both smoked, both liked heavy music, both liked a drink.
Back then, players used to smoke in the hotel. We'd have a bottle of wine, half-a-bottle of Jack Daniel's, we'd listen to Iron Maiden.
We had great times together.
Admitting that he has stories about their exploits that he 'can't really tell', Dicks was one of the first people Bilic called upon getting the West Ham job in 2015:
I got a phone call, I met him in London. ... We've had a fantastic relationship and I didn't need to think twice.
With this afternoon's defeat to Spurs, the pressure is now bound to increase on Bilic. Lambasted for his tactical decision-making and substitutions before, during and after the defeat, it is a result that will carry even greater personal devastation for Dicks:
I hate Tottenham - I'm West Ham, and I don't like Tottenham.
People might have a go at me, but it's true. You have got Birmingham and Villa. You've got Liverpool and Everton. But West Ham hate Tottenham. It's true to say they really do.
Having seemingly impressed with his coaching abilities since joining the club, if West Ham do seek a managerial change in the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see if Dicks is retained by the club he has made such an impression upon.
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