When does an unfortunate run become a crisis? Right now, I would suggest...

ON Remembrance Sunday could we remember what it used to be like with Newcastle United? When away matches were won, when in an eight-day spell last season we beat Man U 2-0, Spurs 2-1, and Arsenal 2-0 in the semifinal of the Carabao Cup. All before their decimated supporters. Chaos was caused amongst the mighty.

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Newcastle players and staff applaud the fans following their defeat

Nah, not ruddy likely we couldn’t recall or repeat such joy. It was same old, same old at Brentford. An absolute replica of West Ham - 1-0 up but beaten 3-1. Only this time it was actually worse with Dan Burn sent off and suspended plus Nick Pope and Joelinton subbed with injuries.

When does an unfortunate run become a crisis? Right now, I would suggest.

United haven’t won away in six PL matches this season, haven’t won away in seven months stretching back over nine games, and currently stand a mere two points above the relegation positions. All this from a Champions League side. Now tell me it isn’t a crisis, merely a blip...

The bottom has fallen out of our game. We can’t score goals away - Harvey Barnes’ effort was only United's third in nine hours of football outside the North East. And we can no longer defend - in three successive away losses no fewer than eight goals have been shipped. This is not just a matter of certain high-profile players living on their reputations, it is the whole team.