Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has held crisis talks with manager Kevin Keegan as his team continues to seek it's first win since his return.
But the owner also wanted guarantees that the manager appointed only six weeks ago can lead them from danger.
With trips to Liverpool and Birmingham City up next, he knows the club could be in the bottom three by the middle of the month.
There is no suggestion Keegan is about to be jettisoned by Ashley, or that the former England boss will walk away, but there is increasing boardroom anxiety.
Ashley has spent more than £250million buying Newcastle and clearing debts.
A drop to the Championship would cripple the club.