Don Hutchison believes Newcastle United are a 'depressing' football club who appear happy 'just to survive'.
The former Liverpool, Everton and West Ham United midfielder made his feelings known in a column for the Chronicle after John Carver was appointed as manager for the remainder of the season.
Hutchison is a good friend of Carver's having worked with him in the past and although he is happy for Alan Pardew's former assistant, he suggests that the Magpies board need to find a solution to their current status as a club prepared simply to get by in England's top flight.
'I know that John's appointment won't be the most popular move among Newcastle fans but they have to get behind him now. The club won't get relegated but they don't want to float along now without any kind of purpose like that did last season - that was very damaging,' wrote Hutchison.
'I'm trying to be as positive as I can about Newcastle but I like John and I do think he's capable and talented. But I think that United are a depressing football club at the moment
'Why won't they get a manager in and actually back him? Why won't they give a manager money to spend and give him a chance to actually build something?
'It looks to me like they are a club just happy to survive in the Premier League and for a club their size, that's just not acceptable. If you have a manager, give him the money and give him the option to bring in players he wants.
'Newcastle won't get relegated. They've got a good side with good players but if they lose one or two, it's going to be a problem.'
