Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes that Norwich City have "panicked" by calling time on manager Chris Hughton's career at Carrow Road.
The club announced the dismissal of Hughton last night following Saturday's 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
The Premier League outfit are currently five points above the relegation zone in the table with five games left to play.
"What on earth are Norwich doing?" Lawrenson wrote in The Mirror. "Why sack Chris Hughton? They have panicked. Regardless of what some pessimists think the bottom three will almost certainly stay the bottom three.
"Chief executive David McNally believes bringing someone else in will give the team the kick they need to get a couple of wins. Keeping Hughton would have ensured that anyway."
Under-18s coach Neil Adams has been named as Hughton's replacement.