Michael Chopra has expressed his surprise that Newcastle United have not sacked Steve Bruce in the aftermath of last night's crushing defeat to Brighton - and urged him to "hold his hands up" and admit he isn't the right man for the job
Goals from Leandro Trossard, Danny Welbeck and Neal Maupay earned the Seagulls a convincing 3-0 verdict at the Amex Stadium - increasing the pressure on Bruce as his struggling Magpies slipped closer to the relegation zone.
With nine games remaining this season, they are currently only two points clear of danger, having won just twice in the Premier League since the turn of the year.
Coupled with Fulham's upturn in fortunes - despite their Friday night defeat to Leeds United - it's left Newcastle in real danger of dropping into the EFL Championship.
However, as the mood around St James' Park darkens, owner Mike Ashley has since issued his backing to the club's manager, much to the surprise of fans - and former striker Chopra.
In a scathing post on social media, Chopra said: "I'm very surprised SB (Steve Bruce) has not yet been sacked by the club. He calls himself a Geordie and its his boyhood club. If this was the case and he cared one bit about the club he would listen to the fans, hold his hands up and admit he is not the right man to take our club forward."
Newcastle have won just twice in 20 games - as fears of Premier League relegation multiplied last night on the back of a dismal defeat to one of their closest rivals.
Indeed, Brighton were only only point ahead of the Magpies prior to kick-off on the south coast, but they now have a healthy four-point cushion on the four sides below them in the standings.
Despite fans' calling for Bruce to be sacked, owner Ashley - currently in Dubai on a business trip - has opted to stick with his manager for the time being.
Behind the scenes, it's understood that it has been acknowledged that all is not well in the dressing room, but Bruce has been backed to sort out those problems.
With players across the Premier League set to be summoned for international duty, the squad are not back in action until April 4, when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to St James' Park.
