Steve Bruce admits that Newcastle United must improve defensively after a disastrous second half against West Ham.
The Magpies conceded three goals in 21 minutes after the break after finding themselves ahead at half-time.
But the Geordie boss was left fuming by VAR and his team's defensive display.
He said: "Defensively we've got to be better. For me the big turning point is the penalty.
"I know we've made a big thing of VAR, for the life of me I can't understand why the referee who is 10 yards away can't just come and check because I think he comes and checks then he thinks differently.
"It was a decent game in the first half, but defensively we have to admit we have to be better."
Bruce said that he would speak to the referee Martin Atkinson after the game to try to understand why he didn't check the monitor.
He said: "That's what VAR is supposed to be there for. I've looked at it four or five times and it looks really harsh to me.
"Martin is 10 yards away from it, why doesn't he go and check it rather than asking somebody's opinion 300 miles away.
"We were always a threat and just after half-time we had the chance to score again. We have to sharpen up defensively that's for sure.
"Once we leave ourselves exposed then it becomes difficult for us.
"Overall I was really pleased with a lot of it but we have to be better defensively."
