Former Newcastle United striker Micky Quinn has predicted that the club will sack manager Steve McClaren within three games if results do not improve.
The Magpies have taken just three points from eight Premier League games and lie bottom of the table.
Quinn said that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is losing patience with the ex-England boss and will swing the axe unless he secures a win within the next three matches.
"I think Steve McClaren is hurtling towards the sack at the moment," he told The Chronicle.
"If he does not get a result from the next two or three games against Norwich City, Sunderland and Stoke City - all of which should, in theory, be winnable - then I think Mike Ashley will press that big red button and sack him."
He added: "If he allows McClaren to continue sleepwalking the club into the Championship he will be made to regret it - and Ashley will certainly react before that happens."
Newcastle were hammered 6-1 by Manchester City in their last Premier League outing.
