There is a tangible mood of despair on Tyneside this morning. The crisis that his gripped the club at boardroom level over the past month has now spread to the pitch and after their exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, the mood among the club's supporters is plumbing new depths.

A crowd of 20,577 watched last night's defeat, the lowest at St James' Park since 14,083 watched a League Cup tie against Mansfield Town in 1992, and amid reports that Terry Venables is considering an offer to become the club's new manager, supporters are venting their fury.

Fans' forums and message boards have been inundated by supporters desperately trying to make sense of the situation. MattM4, writing on Toontastic.net, is just one of one. "God the last few seasons have been so pointless. Same pattern on repeat, panic and scramble," he said. “I'm having a real hard time getting some perspective on all of this.

"Yes the club as an organisation is a farce etc etc, but putting that aside I'm trying to figure whether doomsday is really around the corner this season. I'm trying to compare it with the following recent situations: February 2006, going nowhere under Souness, two points above the drop zone. October 2006, shambolic start to the "Roeder Era". December 2007, Allardyce making us a complete pushovers.

"But the situation never got totally desperate as we always managed to pick up. Is it possible this time around?

With Venables appearing to be the most likely candidate to replace Kevin Keegan as manager, supporters have met the news with a mixed response.

Dr Gloom admits he would be happy to see the former England manager arrive at St James' Park.

“I think at this stage El Tel is about the best we can hope for," he says. "We're not exactly in a position to pick and choose from the best managers in Europe are we? No one is going to touch us with a barge poll, he's not a bad appointment given the circumstances. We're bound to get a new man in when we sell anyway."

While Bombadil argues: "Venables is a joke of a manager, but any short-term solution has got to be better than what's happening now.

However, Noelie says he thinks it is time for a former local hero to step up.

"I think the most positive thing that could happen right now is for Alan Shearer to step out of the shadows, turn his back on his TV stints and ask to be given the job at SJP showing that he is indeed a faithful true blue Black n' White supporter who wants to help the Toon.

"He may not have the managerial skills but apart from Keegan I think Shearer is probably the only one who has the charisma to rekindle the spark of hope that Keegan gave us and get us out of this mire we are sinking deeper in."

The outlook may be bleak for Newcastle supporters, but Kenn1373, writing on Talk of theToon.net, is trying to lift the mood ahead of Saturday's home game with Blackburn Rovers.

“It's time to turn it around and have a sell out for Blackburn, listen to other fans on talksport this morning, they are all saying, "we are getting what we deserve" and will not be happy with anyone. We need to get a grip and get behind the lads and make some noise and blow Blackburn away before it's too late. COME ON THE TOON."