It is time for Newcastle United to make a change to prevent an unthinkable third relegation of this desperate Mike Ashley era.
A bruised Steve Bruce claimed on Friday his team were out of their worst form. But this was every bit as bad as the nadir of Sheffield United or Brentford and in their most important game of the season, it has to be the end of the line for Bruce.
Tactically they were bereft at the Amex. They appeared to have been sent out to sit off and pick Brighton off at the counter but whatever this mess was, it was far from the sort of coherent strategy Newcastle needed in a game that was the litmus test of Bruce's ability to lead United out of this mess.
In truth, time would have run out for him long ago if fans were still allowed in the grounds. He has been battling the written press and his critics for months now, levelling accusations at them when the truth is it is his own performances that haven't been good enough.
Bruce has tried but two wins in 20 games cannot be spun as anything other than a run that demands action.
The tone deaf manager has continued to talk about an "overall accumulation of points" - a phrase that illustrates how wrong he is calling this relegation run - but let's look at the facts. From a string of games against Wolves, West Brom, Aston Villa and Brighton they have collected three points.
Against West Brom they played with the witless insouciance of a team floating in mid-table. But this was worse: a disgraceful performance that did little to suggest Bruce is carrying the players.
Brighton were just a place ahead but the difference in the two clubs is a chasm. Graham Potter - who Bruce's media allies mocked for being barely better in terms of points than Newcastle's manager - has out-thought his more experienced counterpart twice.
Bruce says he won't resign but Newcastle have to act.
We are told Ashley doesn't want to. Lee Charnley likes to shepherd managers through rough periods and will be dreading the idea of sourcing a replacement. Even with Rafa Benitez it took him eight days to sack Steve McClaren, months after he should have been fired.
But it would be a dereliction of duty to allow this to go on.
United should have acted after Bramall Lane. If they don't do it now, they are gambling with their Premier League lives, with any hope of resurrecting the takeover and risking a ruinous relegation which would set them back years. Placing their faith in Bruce would be the biggest gamble yet.
An international fortnight gives them the time to make a break. Bruce's road is run.
