Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer believes Newcastle should be "managing situations" better than they are doing and blasted their inability to keep the ball.
The Magpies put in one of their worst performances to date under Steve Bruce in the first-half of their 2-2 draw with Southampton on Saturday and fans made their feelings known.
Bruce faced up to his critics after the game and agreed that the first-half performance "was not good enough."
READ MORE: Steve Bruce gives his verdict after being jeered at St James' Park
Nonetheless, Newcastle took the lead through Callum Wilson not long after the restart, only for Mohamed Elyounoussi to equalise with 15 minutes remaining.
Allan Saint-Maximin appeared to have stolen all three points for Bruce's side in the final minute, but a poor challenge from Jamal Lascelles on Adam Armstrong saw referee Paul Tierney point to the spot and James Ward-Prowse made no mistake in levelling the scores.
The Magpies picked up their first point of the season and sit just outside the Premier League relegation zone after three games.
Speaking on Saturday night’s Match of the Day , Shearer took aim at Newcastle's defensive frailties and claimed that Southampton deserved a point from their trip to St. James' Park.
He said: "Well they’ve got to manage the situation better than they’re doing. I know it was a really poor first half performance from them.
"They led twice against West Ham, they lead twice today, it’s a much better performance in the second half.
"Go in front, you’ve got to manage the game and they gave it away once there, [Sean] Longstaff with the pass, they win it back then give it straight back to Southampton, believe it or not they gave it away for the third time.
"If you have to put it into row z then you get the shape. You’re inviting the pressure and it can be difficult in the stadium when the fans aren’t happy, rightly so.
"Yes it’s a penalty, it’s a desperate lunge from Lascelles. Ward-Prowse was right it was a pressure penalty and he sticks it away really well.
"You can understand the frustration from Newcastle United fans and being in such a great position with a minute to go.
"They deserved a point today for me - Southampton."
