Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer hit the nail on the head as he summed up the Magpies' 1-1 draw with Watford as 'awful.'
Few observers of the game, in which Newcastle took the lead in the 49th minute through Allan Saint-Maximin, would disagree with Shearer.
United had just one shot on target against Watford, a particularly alarming stat given the fact that the Hornets had lost their last seven games.
After scoring, Newcastle failed to build on their lead and were second best in the second 45 with Watford deserving the leveller through Joao Pedro with two minutes of time remaining.
Watford had threatened throughout the second half, Joao Pedro proving particularly difficult to handle while ex-Magie Moussa Sissoko fired with the goal at his mercy. Josh King also forced Martin Dubravka into a good save.
It's now 21 points Newcastle have dropped this season from winning positions and the second-half performance will worry Eddie Howe who has only won one of his first 10 games in charge. Norwich City, who started the day bottom of the table beat Everton 2-1 which means they move up to 18th in the table - United did have a chance to move out of the relegation zone had they beaten Watford.
Shearer tweeted: "One shot on target at home against Watford. Miles away man. 2 poor sides. Awful.
"After our only shot on target we sat back and went further back and invited Watford to attack."
Newcastle face Leeds United next Saturday at Elland Road in a game they cannot afford to lose.
