Alan Shearer, for one, is not surprised given their failure to sign proven centre-backs over the past seven years.
He said: “It is also staggering that a centre-half was not signed in January given how they have struggled defensively all season — conceding 61 goals in 32 league matches.
“Even last summer, only DR Congo star Chancel Mbemba came in and, having played OK early on, he has also looked out of sorts in recent games.
“It says it all that Steven Taylor, who was hooked at half-time at Southampton, and Fabricio Coloccini, who was playing every week before his injury, were two of the centre-halves I had as manager when we were relegated in 2009.
“That alone tells you that centre-half is a position that has not been properly addressed in seven years.”