BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has dubbed Newcastle 'absolutely rudderless' after they fell to a 3-1 defeat to Norwich on Saturday.
The season is just two games old, but the Magpies already find themselves in the relegation zone after successive defeats.
Questions are already being asked about some of Steve Bruce's decision-making following the defeat and the Magpies boss ordered his players reported to training on Sunday - a scheduled day off - after an 'unacceptable' display at Carrow Road.
Canaries forward Teemu Pukki scored a hat-trick and after he was named in Crooks' Team of the Week, the former Tottenham star delivered a damning verdict on the Magpies.
Crooks fervently praised Rafa Benitez's credentials as Newcastle manager last season and he can see nothing but struggle without the Spaniard at the helm this term.
"Anyone who scores a hat-trick in the Premier League deserves high praise and Teemu Pukki's efforts against Newcastle entitled him to nothing less," Crooks said.
"However, I said last week, in the Crooks of the Matter, that the departure of Rafael Benitez from St James' Park left the Magpies up the creek without a paddle.
"It's only the second weekend of the Premier League season and Newcastle look absolutely rudderless."
