Newcastle narrowly avoided defeat against Bournemouth at the weekend after Dango Outarra's last-gasp goal was controversially disallowed for handball by VAR.
However, it was an underwhelming display from the Magpies and came after they ground out a victory over Southampton on the opening day.
The 1-1 draw with the Cherries also follows a frustrating summer on and off the pitch at St James' Park, with boss Eddie Howe labelling it 'the most difficult' transfer window he has experienced in his managerial career.
Newcastle have only signed Lloyd Kelly to improve the first team squad, while Kieran Trippier was replaced as on-field captain by Bruno Guimaraes, amid speculation surrounding the right back's future.
And, in the latest episode of It's All Kicking Off! Mail Sport's Newcastle expert Craig Hope joined co-hosts Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman to discuss the issues Howe's side face, while they also touched on the manager's potential unhappiness at the situation.