Graeme Souness believes Mike Ashley is "sticking two fingers up at supporters" by not sacking Steve Bruce after 95% of Newcastle United fans said they wanted to see a change in management.
ChornicleLive conducted a poll which had 14,000 votes, resulting in 95% of participants asking for a change in boss.
Despite the Magpies hanging just above the bottom three, Ashley has made it clear that no changes are imminent.
Former Newcastle boss Souness believes that the owner is digging his heels in but a change would have been if supporters were inside St James' Park to voice their anger and frustrations.
"Having been at the football club, I understand the pressures involved," Souness told Sky Sports.
"I hate talking about managers losing their jobs. I know Steve Bruce, good guy, but I think he's lucky to hold on to his job. It's as if Mike Ashley is sticking two fingers up at the supporters.
"If 95% say they want a change, most boards would make that change. If there were people in the stadium, I think that change would have been made.
"Right now, I think Mike Ashley is saying 'nope, you can have all the polls you want, I'm not making a change', but it's a high-risk strategy. I don't know what the numbers are but it's a big difference in pounds, shilling and pence.
"It's a big, big number if they go down and don't come back up but that's the call he's making right now."
Bruce was asked directly about the poll in the build-up to Sunday's match against Tottenham, to which he replied: "Look, I've said many, many times, everybody is entitled to their opinion. I really can't take any notice on polls.
"All I can focus on is Tottenham at the weekend and getting the squad as best prepared I possibly can, not take any notice of any polls."
