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Nobby Solano believes Newcastle United’s lack of leadership and direction is slowly choking the Toon Army.

Solano has warned the club need at least FIVE new players this summer and must stop shopping in the bargain basement for cheap players.

Unrest levels have gone up a notch since the Wear-Tyne derby defeat, with supporters discussing potential protests against Tottenham Hotspur via social media.

There were also chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” directed at head coach John Carver and his coaching staff towards the end of the 1-0 loss to Sunderland.

And players left the field to a chorus of: “You’re not fit to wear the shirt.”

But Solano feels that the problem begins right at the top of the club in the boardroom.

In a heartfelt interview with the Chronicle, Solano said: “We don’t know what Mike Ashley’s ambition is really.

“Is he desperate to sell the club, is that why we don’t buy players?

“We just don’t know what the destiny is for the club and that’s the worst part about it for the fans.

“The way it has been in the last three years is that the club have not shown any progress and aren’t going forward.

“Newcastle are very lucky that they have points in the bag already because we would be struggling badly.”

United finished 16th in 2012/13 and 10th last season and could be heading for a bottom-half finish this term unless they turn their woeful form around.

They are currently bottom of the form table and could stay there if they aren’t careful.

A concerned Solano said: “There’s a tough period coming up now.

“We lost games to Everton and Sunderland and they were games we should be looking to get points from.

“Now we have a tough period with games at Liverpool then Tottenham.

“My big question is: ‘What on earth is going on?’

“Are Newcastle just happy to be in the Premier League – but where do they go from here?

“Everybody knows that they have to sign new players.

“They need at least FIVE good players.

“But they are still looking in the same place.

“They are looking for cheap players and that’s always a gamble.

“The only player that has paid off on that score is Ayoze Perez – and he’s still learning.”

Now Solano feels Newcastle need to sign players who are right for the club and not bring in those who appeal to the club just because they have a cheap price tag.

He said: “Newcastle need players who get stuck in.

“Look at Sunderland and why they won the derby.

“Lee Cattermole rolled his sleeves up and threw himself into it.

“You need players like that who will do a job on the day.

“I lost a couple of derbies and I was ashamed about it.

“But this team have lost five.

“It’s not right.

“We knew how important it was.

“I knew that the game was big because of what Alan Shearer told me.

“So I told myself it was as big as Boca Juniors v River Plate.

“That was a game I played in over in Argentina.”

And as bad as the derby defeat was, Solano feels the problems run much deeper than just Sunday.

He said: “Where are the club going? The club used to be aiming for the Champions League, now they don’t even look like they want the Europa League.

“They just seem happy to be a Premier League club.”