Joey Barton has claimed that Rafael Benitez should stop "moaning" about the lack of transfer funds available at Newcastle United and get on with his job of coaching the team.
The Magpies have lost their first two games of the new Premier League season, failing to score against both Tottenham Hotspur and fellow Championship promotees Huddersfield Town.
Benitez has made his feelings known about needing more money to strengthen his team, while club owner Mike Ashley has publicly declared that the Spaniard must work on a budget.
Ex-Newcastle midfielder Barton told talkSPORT: "They do need some investment. When you come up, you do need investment, but there is also a case that Benitez needs to get on with it.
"You've got what you've got. Okay, you maybe need to keep it private in terms of [asking] can we get bodies in, but he's getting paid an awful lot of money, so coach what you've got in front of you.
"It doesn't help when the manager is out there moaning, saying he's not happy with the situation. That definitely festers out on the pitch.
"If you're a player and you hear the manager moaning about investment it doesn't inspire confidence because he's saying they're not good enough."
Newcastle have signed Christian Atsu, Florian Lejeune, Jacob Murphy, Javi Manquillo, Mikel Merino and Joselu so far this summer.
Giuseppe Labellarte
