BBC pundit Garth Crooks has expressed concern for Newcastle United ahead of the hectic festive schedule.
Rafael Benitez guided the Magpies back to the Premier League from the Championship at the first time of asking.
The North-East outfit stormed to the title in the second tier with scintillating displays in front of goal, but a lacklustre summer transfer window did not put the club in good standing heading into the top flight.
Newcastle surprised many across September and October by recording four wins and two draws – suffering just one defeat.
In recent weeks, though, the club have dropped out of the top half of the table and into the danger area.
Following eight defeats in their last nine games, the Magpies are in the relegation zone, one point from safety.
Crooks, who played for Tottenham Hotspur during his career, believes that Newcastle are not good enough for the Premier League and fears for them in the second half of the season.
The 59-year-old told BBC Sport:
“The reality is the Magpies are punching above their weight and are slowly running out of gas. I dread to think how this squad is going to cope over the Christmas period.
“The games are coming thick and fast now. Players are going to have to play with knocks and bruises and put their bodies on the line for their clubs and teammates.”
