Alan Shearer admits that Newcastle United's defending of late 'scares' him as the club legend fears for the side's Premier League status.
Speaking to the BBC , Shearer delivered a brutal but honest assessment of United's troubles ahead of a massive week in which they faced survival rivals, Norwich and Burnley.
With 29 goals conceded so far this season, and the defensive display in the last game against Arsenal - which they lost 2-0 - well short of Premier League stand, Shearer conceded he has worries about their backline.
"They have been really poor at the back all season," he said. "And it was the same at Emirates Stadium.
"I know they were playing much better opposition and were away from home, but the fundamentals of defending are still the same and Newcastle are lacking them at the moment.
"Any time anyone gets near their box, it scares me, because they cannot defend.
"They have got a couple of players suspended for the Norwich game - left-back Matt Ritchie and centre-half Jamaal Lascelles both miss out - but the way those two have been playing, I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing.
"In the early stages against Arsenal, there were a few encouraging signs - I thought Newcastle looked organised and competed well, but even then the Gunners created some big chances in the first half.
"Yes, things were better than they had been but it didn't last. If Newcastle are going to dig themselves out of this hole, they can't just play like that for 30 or 35 minutes - it has to be the full 90.
"To put it bluntly, they are going to have to start defending a heck of a lot better than they have been, otherwise their season - and top-flight status - could well be over before they know it."
Newcastle remain the only side across the top four divisions of the English game to still be without a victory this season - and only one side out of the five to go this far into a Premier League campaign without a win has managed to survive the drop.
The Magpies are already six points adrift of safety - and three behind Norwich ahead of tonight's game, highlighting the importance of the clash - not only because of the points gap but also looking ahead to the winter window.
"There are no ifs or buts about it," Shearer added. "Newcastle's season is really all about their next two games, Norwich and then Burnley on Saturday. They are both at St James' Park, and they are both must-win matches for Eddie Howe's side.
"Even six points probably won't lift Newcastle out of the Premier League's bottom three because their goal difference is so bad. But two wins are imperative because that would at least put them in touch with the teams just above the drop zone, with an extremely tough run of games to follow.
"Otherwise, Newcastle are facing a scenario where they are well adrift come the start of January, which could affect the calibre of players who arrive when the transfer window opens. Not many top players will want to commit to a team who, by then, might look a lot like they are going to be relegated."
