There were demands for big improvements from manager Shaun Derry following Notts County’s disappointing display in the pre-season encounter with Birmingham City - and rightfully so.
In summary, the Magpies were not good enough and no excuses were made after the final whistle, which confirmed City’s 4-0 victory in front of a Meadow Lane audience.
Despite a promising opening, Notts fell behind in the 12th minute after failing to clear a Birmingham corner.
Goalkeeper Fabian Spiess did well to save Jonathan Grounds’ initial header but could do nothing to keep out Clayton Donaldson’s rebound finish.
Just seconds later, a diagonal Reece Brown pass saw Andy Shinnie beat the offside trap, before controlling on his chest and placing beyond Spiess.
Spiess produced a series of excellent saves to prevent the visitors from adding to their first half lead and Nicky Wroe, who produced County's best efforts either side of the break was unable to find a way past visiting stopper Colin Doyle.
On 58, Donaldson added his second of the evening, when he capitalised on a defensive slip to round Spiess and slot home.
Although County showed greater promise in the final third in the closing stages, City added a fourth and final goal through Grounds, who headed powerfully beyond Spiess from a Mark Duffy corner.
The biggest positive from the evening from County's perspective was Mustapha Dumbuya's return from injury, as the right-back came through 45 minutes unscathed.
Notts have just one more pre-season friendly, against Osasuna on Friday evening, and much better is required ahead of the season opener away at Preston North End.
Full Time Score: Notts County 0-4 Birmingham City
Attendance: 2,016 (681 Including Away Supporters)
Notts County Starting XI: Spiess, Dumbuya, Hollis, Mullins, Adams, Whitehouse, Wroe, Noble, Ismail, G Thompson, Cassidy.
Subs From: Pilkington, C Thompson, Smith, McKenzie, Asante, Dawson.
Birmingham City Starting XI: Doyle, Caddis, Grounds, Packwood, Reilly, Gray, Gleeson, Lee, Brown, Shinnie, Donaldson.
Subs From: Trueman, Edgar, Hall, Hancox, Duffy, Adeyemi, Eardley, Thomas, Cotterill, Novak.