Steve Bruce is entering into a week that will determine his future as Newcastle boss praying that Allan Saint-Maximin can save his job.
There has been talk in football circles of the head coach having the next seven days to prove he can end their 11-match winless run - including six straight defeats - or he risks facing the sack.
Sportsmail understands Mike Ashley has been in Dubai of late and sources close to the owner insist no definitive timeframe has been given to Bruce, although they expect to see an improvement.
The head coach admits he is not 'bulletproof', and it is impossible to see him surviving another three losses over the course of the next week, with Saturday's trip to Everton followed by the visit of Crystal Palace and Southampton.