The Magpies are currently sat in 18th place in the Premier League table, after making an awful start to their campaign.
However, there have been signs that Newcastle are starting to improve in recent weeks – with the North East oufit picking up four points from their last three matches.
Nicholas, though, remains far from convinced and believes that their defensive issues will result in them being a Championship club next season.
“I still feel that where Newcastle have improved is where they were expected to,” he responded, when asked why he still thinks Newcastle are going down.
“They have improved going forward, and I’m all for creative and attacking-minded players, but I’m sorry, they don’t have choices at the back.
“Their full-backs are poor, other than Daryl Janmaat, and their goalkeeping situation is all over the place. They’re a nervous wreck.”
Newcastle have leaked goals throughout the campaign so far, but they were able to keep a clean sheet in their latest match against Stoke City.
Steve McClaren will hope that his side can build on that display in the coming weeks, as they look to climb out of the drop zone and towards safety.
Newcastle’s next match comes against Bournemouth at the weekend, and a win would allow them to leapfrog the south coast side in the table.