Rob Lee has given his view on what is wrong at Newcastle United, arguing the club will never amount to anything more than a relegation battle whilst Mike Ashley is owner.
The Magpies rescued a late point against Aston Villa on Friday thanks to Jamaal Lascelles' equaliser, but the two dropped points hands both Brighton and Fulham the chance to go above them over the weekend.
Speaking on BT Sport, Lee says that, whilst fans may criticise Steve Bruce for his tactics and style of football, it is difficult to see any manager achieving more than simply trying to avoid relegation with the club due to the ownership.
"Since Mike Ashley's been there, I think it's always been difficult," he said.
"Rafa Benitez didn't leave because everything was going well, there were things going on behind the scenes that he wasn't happy with and that's why he left.
"Whoever manages this football club, be it Steve Bruce or whoever, it's always going to be an uphill struggle, unfortunately."
Reflecting on the relegation battle as a whole, Lee said the last-gasp nature of Newcastle's equaliser against Villa will represent a big boost to the squad.
Next up, the Magpies face a six-pointer against Brighton and Lee says, as long as their safety chances remain in their own hands, he will feel confident about the club's fate at the end of the season.
He said: "I don't remember Newcastle having loads and loads of chances there but what I do know is Newcastle equalised with the last kick of the game.
"I know, when you play football, if you do that, it gives you a massive boost. So they'll go into the dressing room feeling like they've won the game.
"They can go to Brighton and hopefully push on from that.
"It's still in their hands, that's what I like - the moment it goes out of Newcastle's hands, they're in trouble, but it's still in their hands."
