There's been a lot of different versions of poo-pooing so hard to say how to parse them....
1. One version was obsessing over the timing. Like if it didn't flip by Dec 8th, it was a huge bust. "we're going to lose most of early December!!!"
2. Another version was "it's a horrible pattern for the next 3 weeks". Not sure where that came other than "Feels" from but it's been posted in this thread.
3. The most reasonable pessimists IMHO have been the ones probably along the coast who understand their climo sucks in early December anyway and were worried about arctic cold being available...so that when the model guidance ticked somewhat warmer, it was game over for them even with a strong NAO block. This shouldn't really change anyone's perception in the interior, but for the coast I can see the worry. I think some of the worry has been a little overblown though even along the coast. If you get a high in the right area, even a relatively marginal airmass will prob snow to the coast except maybe right on the beaches.