Former Newcastle United forward Michael Owen has criticised Steve Bruce's tactics and fears where the Magpies' goals will come from this season.
Newcastle were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Brighton on Saturday and rarely looked like they would threaten the Seagulls' goal.
Bruce's men had just 29 per cent possession at St James' Park and in a game the manager and the players had described as a 'cup final' in the build-up, Newcastle's performance worryingly provided more questions than answers about their Premier League prospects this term.
And Owen has hit out at Bruce's tactics on Saturday claiming it is 'not great coaching' to set up with 11 men behind the ball.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward also struggles to see where the goals are coming from in this Newcastle side.
"It was staggering really," Owen told Premier League Matchday Live when asked about Newcastle's performance.
"Considering the support Newcastle get, and they are on their own patch against a team that is going to be down there, you would have thought they would have come out all guns blazing.
"That first half was very poor indeed. The second half was a bit better, they were attacking more.
"Anyone can stick 11 men behind the ball. That is not genius, that is not great coaching.
"They are going to have to find a way of unlocking a defence. Goals keep you up and they don't even look like scoring at the moment."
Former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was also in the studio and he too was staggered by Newcastle's approach to the game.
"I am still trying to work out how Brighton didn't win the game. To have 71 per cent of possession away from home is unheard of outside of being Barcelona, Real Madrid or Man City.
"Brighton were the only team that tried and they will be disappointed not to have come away with the three points. You could hear from the Newcastle fans they weren't happy with their team's approach today."
