Members of the Newcastle squad are considering 'face-to-face talks' with Managing Director Lee Charnley as the threat of relegation looms larger, according to Football Insider.

The report claimed that the players were anticipating Steve Bruce's dismissal in the wake of their desperately poor defeat at the hands of Brighton on Saturday night.

When it was revealed the following morning that Mike Ashley would once again stand by Bruce, there was apparently a feeling of 'genuine shock' among many of the players.

Newcastle in dire straits

The Magpies went down 3-0 at the Amex Stadium after a lifeless display which saw them amass an xG of just 0.09. They are precariously hovering just two points above the relegation zone with nine games to play.

Newcastle are also without a win in their last six matches, and at least some of the players are said to have 'lost all faith' in Bruce.

It should be stressed that these talks with Charnley wouldn't be to demand that the 60-year-old be sacked outright, however. Instead, the players would pursue 'more general answers about what can change' as they look to stave off a return to the Championship after four years in the top flight. [Football Insider]

Transfer Tavern verdict

With fan action restricted in lockdown, the Toon Army will probably be pleased to see a group of players trying to hold the club's hierarchy to account.

They are surely wondering what reasons Ashley and co. have to justify their consistent backing of Bruce, who is already a deeply unpopular figure among many Newcastle supporters and now, it seems, faces a possible backlash from some players too.

In other news, one Newcastle player's season could be over.