Steve Bruce has laid into his players and claimed that he's now going to do things 'his way,' as the pressure mounts following the loss to Sheffield United.
Newcastle's loss to Chris Wilder's basement side on Tuesday night was the Blades' first win of the season and also meant Bruce's side haven't won in six Premier League games.
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The Magpies' poor form has left them in 15th place and the pressure is starting to build on the manager, who has never been too popular amongst the fans.
They face Arsenal on Monday evening and ahead of the game the manager has claimed that the 'gloves are off,' and he's laid into the players.
"We were absolutely frigging hopeless the other night," the former Sunderland boss said in his pre match press conference.
"Absolute sh*te we were. I have to accept it. I've let them (the players) be comfortable but the gloves are off now. I'm going to do it my way. I've said from day one the way I wanted to play and haven't done it enough."
The former Manchester United defender was never a popular appointment, taking over from Rafa Benitez in July 2019, and his defensive style has often come in for criticism.
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Newcastle finished in 13th last season and were 10 points clear of the relegation zone but the club's biggest supporters group have raised concerns that the club is 'sleepwalking towards relegation' under the manager.
The team had just 33% of possession against Wilder's side, although Ryan Fraser was sent off in the first half, and the boss agrees with the fans' concerns.
"If I was a supporter, I'd be concerned as well after watching the first half at Sheffield United, we were absolutely hopeless," he added.
"Unfortunately, in my 18 months here, we've thrown that hand grenade in too often for my liking. It all blows up after that.
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"In hindsight, I picked the wrong team. I have to accept the performance was nowhere near good enough and take responsibility."
The 60-year-old, who holds the record of most promotions to the Premier League with four, even acknowledged fans were never happy with his appointment, adding, "'In some people's eyes I was never the right choice. I can understand that.
"But if you look at my record over the years, for being a team that is in the bottom half of the league, then I've got enough on my C.V. to make sure I can try and slowly take the club forward. That's what I'm here for and that's what I will continually try to achieve."
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The manager will be hoping criticising the players has the desired effect as the north east side look to move away from the relegation zone against Arsenal.
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