Jermaine Jenas believes that Newcastle are lacking goals in their side and said it could see them dragged into a relegation battle.
Rafael Benitez is currently working desperately to sign some high-profile names in the closing weeks of the transfer window to help bolster his squad.
The Magpies are back in the top flight after a one-year absence and will be hoping to avoid a relegation battle.
However, they began the season with a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham and now travel to Huddersfield in their next match.
Ex-Newcastle midfielder Jenas has claimed that there is not enough goals in the side and said that teams that have been relegated from the Premier League in recent years have all struggled to score goals.
“I don’t think they have got enough goals, [Aleksandar] Mitrovic has had his season in the league below,” Jenas told Goal. “I didn’t see enough from him. They have Dwight Gayle, a proven goalscorer for them but the problem with Gayle is that he has to play in a two [forward system], then you are restricted with how you play.
“They have Ayoze Perez as well but there’s not enough there for me. Every year when I am talking about football in the last couple of seasons, looking at Sunderland, Villa and others. The relegated team’s biggest problem is always a lack of ability to score goals.”
Newcastle have been boosted by the signing of Stoke forward Joselu this week and they will hope he can make a big impact at St James’ Park.
The £5million signing is yet to prove himself in English football and struggled to make a name for himself at Stoke, but has shown his quality in Germany and Spain before.
He will now be competing for a spot in the starting XI alongside Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez.
OPINION
Jenas is spot on in his evaluation of Newcastle as the attacking area is clearly the one position they still look a bit light. There is no guarantee that any of their forwards can score 10-15 league goals in the top flight, something which is essential for teams that want to stay up. Owner Mike Ashley has revealed Newcastle are not willing to spend crazy amounts in the transfer market and that would prevent them landing a big name striker. However, there is no excuse for missing out on Chelsea ace Tammy Abraham, who has joined Swansea on loan and has huge potential to score goals for them. Newcastle are likely to be in a relegation scrap as it stands and will need goals from all over the park to help them survive.