Reserve team coach Alan Thompson has warned they must change their mindsets or be found wanting.
Newcastle’s reserves completed their pre- season programme with a 5-1 hammering at Leeds United’s Thorp Arch training ground.
Alan Thompson: "It’s a wake-up call.
"They are pushing for a level where they want to be but they will be playing against men this season. If you don’t face up to that you will lose 5-1, like we did against Leeds.
"If they learn from it, then great, but if they don’t and they get back into their BMWs and think they are Newcastle United footballers, then good luck to them.
"They have to learn – one or two of them will, but whether they all will, I don’t know.
"We’re trying to help them and if they don’t want to take our advice, that’s up to them.
"Trésor Kandol came on and scored four goals and he can’t get anywhere near their first team.
"That tells you what our lads have to do if they want to make it.
"They might think they’re professional footballers now, at 19 or 20 years old, but if they want to make a long career from the game they’re going to have to get used to coming up against players like that and be able to handle it."