Pointed criticism of second pub? (4)
I believe the answer is:
barb
'pointed criticism' is the definition.
'barb' can be an answer for 'criticism' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'pointed' bit.
'second pub?' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 'b' (B can mean second eg B-side).
'pub?' becomes 'arb' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'b'+'arb'='BARB'
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for barb that I've seen before include "Cutting remark" , "Hurtful comment" , "Twisted point of hook" , "added to wire?" , "Point of fish-hook - gibe" .)