How brave dare Eddie Howe be in a crisis? Or put another way can he afford not to be brave with Newcastle in their last chance saloon?
United go to Leeds with one win in 20 games and the second worst defensive record in the Premier League.
They also go on the back of two demoralising home results against extremely modest opposition Cambridge and Watford.
Go here for all the latest Newcastle United news
That is as low as you can get.
So what to do when they have managed to land no new signings this week.
Well, if captain Jamaal Lascelles and vice captain Jonjo Shelvey were both dropped neither could complain.
In fact a vast majority of fans would welcome it.
Lascelles is getting worse by the week - he isn't dominating in the air which is supposed to be his strength, he is unsure positionally, and his passing is woeful.
Lascelles has to shoulder a considerable amount of blame on Watford's equaliser when he was swept aside and he gifted them a goal chance earlier which Moussa Sissoko squandered.
As for Shelvey I fear for him at Leeds where their high press and quick play could completely expose him.
Indeed Leeds could drive a Harley Davidson through the centre of Newcastle's team with Chris Wood, Shelvey, Lascelles and Fabian Schar all slow.
I would prefer to see Paul Dummett switched to the centre of defence with either Javier Manquillo played at left-back or Jamal Lewis if he is fit enough. And give the armband to Kieran Trippier who can inspire and lead.
To be brutally truthful whatever Howe does will probably not be enough because United's squad is painful but he has to do something.
The defence is awful, so vulnerable, the centre midfield pairing of Shelvey and Sean Longstaff is overrun, and up front United could muster only one shot on target all game against a side of the calibre of Watford.
It's not Howe's fault or the fault of the new owners who they have inherited but they must make the best of a bad job.
Howe needs to be ruthless and demand more from his £25m signing Chris Wood.
I have to admit that I was bitterly disappointed with Wood's debut. Of course he didn't get good service but he made nothing for himself either. He looked pedestrian, uncomfortable with the ball at his feet, and lacking a threat in the air. He didn't get an effort on goal the whole of the game and that is an awful stat for a centre-forward.
I'm praying for more at Leeds and I will give Wood time because he deserves it.
But if things don't start going right one question will be asked: why did Newcastle spend so much money on a centre-forward whose record this season against them was so poor. The only time Newcastle have kept a clean sheet was against Burnley in the league and league cup. And who was their line leader?
Trippier in comparison has hit the ground running. He looks what he is, a quality player who is probably wondering what he has got himself into coming here.
Newcastle are in desperate trouble and should they get beaten at Leeds then two and a bit weeks until their next game will seem an awful long time to stew.
Everton are next up too and they will have benefitted by the sacking of Rafa Benitez.
It is going to take a Herculean effort on the park and an awful lot of activity in the transfer market to give United any chance of avoiding the drop.
I fear for my old club, I really do.
If Leeds play like they did at West Ham there will be only one result. United have to pray for a miracle . . . and then a few more to follow!
For the latest Newcastle news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
