Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has suggested Mike Ashley could sack Steve Bruce if Newcastle United lose their next two matches.

The Lowdown: Bruce unpopular

It is no secret Bruce is not the most popular man in the north-east, but he has been dealt another blow via a recent Newcastle United Supporters Trust poll.

It has emerged 95% of surveyed supporters want him to walk away from St. James' Park - a resounding majority, and yet some of them may even wonder what the other five per cent are thinking.

The Latest: Downie provides Bruce update

Speaking on Sky Sports, Downie shared an update on Bruce's future, claiming that Ashley being 'desperate' to sell the club may impact the decision. He said:

"So if Steve Bruce is to carry on and have Newcastle down there, marooned in the bottom three, that is when it becomes a situation where he [Mike Ashley] may have to, you know, make a change at the top. "I don’t think that will happen in the next few days but should they lose against Spurs and then potentially the game [Palace away] after that, I think Mike Ashley may have a decision to make."

The Verdict: Matter of time

Quite frankly, it does seem like it is only a matter of time before Bruce is relieved of his duties at the club, and the longer he stays the more damage they will suffer. So far this term, the Toon have not won any of their seven Premier League matches, and the Magpies' football remains dismal - for example, only three sides have averaged less than their 42.7% possession in the league (via WhoScored). In the likes of Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin, Newcastle do possess some talented and exciting players. They need to get someone in who is able to get the best out of the players at their disposal, as it looks like Bruce is uncapable of delivering that. In other news, this man could replace Bruce as boss.