Rob Lee and Joe Cole both say that Newcastle United deserve more than they are currently getting as a club.
The Magpies' woeful run of form has seen them slump into a relegation battle, despite picking up some positive results at the start of the season.
Going into this weekend's fixtures, Newcastle were just a point above the relegation zone and nervously looking over their shoulders.
Speaking on BT Sport ahead of Friday's game against Aston Villa, Lee said he cannot see anything changing about the club until the ownership situation with Mike Ashley changes.
He said: "Results recently, we've been dragged right back into it again.
"I still believe we'll be okay but we shouldn't be where we are.
"A club the size of this, the stadium - I know we don't have fans in - but this club shouldn't be anywhere near where we are now.
"There's a lot of things to blame, Steve Bruce has got to take a little bit of criticism as he's the manager and whoever's in charge of this club, we should be better than what we are.
"At the end of the day, we've got an owner who really doesn't want to be here and doesn't back the manager or the club in the way it needs backing.
"I think until something happens along those lines, nothing will change."
Speaking about what would help the club, Lee praised the loan signing of Joe Willock but said more goals are needed.
He said: "It's been like that for years and years, with all sorts of things going on.
"The one thing they've got to do is start scoring goals. You look at the team and they have to start scoring goals from somewhere.
"That's been a major problem for them."
He added: "I think they experimented playing the two strikers wide, which certainly didn't work.
"Above all, you've got to give them good service. Willock is a good signing, we need someone in midfield, getting forward and getting into the box.
"If we're going to stay up, we need goals."
Lee's BT Sport colleague Cole agreed, arguing a club the size of Newcastle deserves more than being in a relegation battle every season.
He said: "Every time I come here, it excites me.
"I said to Rob, I used to love coming here, it's an amazing place. They should be better than what they are."
