Jermaine Jenas has admitted Newcastle United's problems in attack are "worrying" after a dismal 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The Magpies barely got out of their own half in the opening 45 minutes and were behind after 10 minutes when Federico Fernandez accidentally put into his own net.
Tammy Abraham added a second after the break but in truth, the match epitomised a training outing for Chelsea, with Newcastle failing to come close to imposing themselves on the match.
It was another game where they drew a blank too, with Callum Wilson left out of the starting XI as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
Joelinton replaced him but was starved of service and struggled to make the most of any opportunities that did fall his way.
“My issue with Newcastle was their own attitude towards the game," Jenas told BT Sport.
"I didn’t think they imposed themselves, they didn’t have the energy I hoped they’d have going into the game. They were standoffish, passive, and beaten before the game even started, to an extent.
“Those players we spoke about before the start of the game, none of them played today. I think Steve today is trying to protect his team because they’re up against a very good side, but he’ll also know there needs to be a lot of improvement when it comes to application on the pitch.
“It’s worrying at times. That top-end of the pitch is blunt. There’s not any stage when the game is going on when you feel like something is gonna happen.
"You’re hoping, it’s just a hopeful feeling, it’s not a strategic plan. The Joelinton thing isn’t working, it’s been a year and he doesn’t look dangerous in that position, maybe he’s a right-sided player or a left-sided player.
"Either way, there’s food for thought there, and we’re now feeling what the fans have been feeling for a portion of time.”
