Martin Keown offered some "constructive criticism" of Newcastle United in response to Steve Bruce's complaints about how he and his team have been treated by the media.
Bruce declined to take questions from members of the written press at a recent press conference in the wake of the Magpies' poor run of form.
Defending that decision, the manager told BT Sport: "I've got no problem with criticism. It's the constant criticism of the club and when it comes to ridicule, then I think there should be a little bit more respect.
"We accept criticism, we're getting beat and it's the Premier League, and I give up my time and give them the respect to speak to them.
"Yes, they can be pretty damning, we all accept that, but have a little bit of respect."
Newcastle went into Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park without a win in 11 matches in all competitions and on the back of six straight defeats.
Pundit Keown responded to Bruce's pre-match interview by saying: "So many times I've watched Steve Bruce's team play and they sit far too deep, and they let the opposition dictate the play - and they never really develop the play themselves.
"So I think that's where the criticism comes. He's talking about ridicule there. I don't think that's ridiculing him, I think that's constructive criticism.
"I would like to see him set out his team today against Everton to press really high where possible, and then have a little bit of steeliness about them, and some bravery in possession - trying to create things, trying to get forward and trying to get the ball into the box for Callum Wilson, who I feel desperately sorry for, because he has got the ability to score goals for them.
"That would be an upgrade on what we have seen so far. Forget about the bigger picture, forget about what the fans think. You need to get points on the board.
"We need to see an improvement and if we don't see that, you start to wonder what an earth is happening behind the scenes."
Fellow pundit Leon Osman believes Newcastle supporters have a right to expect better from their club.
"It's certainly not wrong to be ambitious as fans," said the former Everton midfielder. "That's how you stretch your team, that's how you improve.
"Every fan across the country will have expectations about their own side.
"I think what's difficult is what comes down from the top. I think if (Mike) Ashley was looking at taking this club forward, he would have brought in a young, enthusiastic, next generation manager - but he didn't.
"He looked for somebody - with no disrespect to Steve Bruce - who he thinks will keep them in the Premier League.
"That's where the expectation is - and you're now asking this manager to do something they have not been brought in to do.
"I think it goes to the very top of the club."
