Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given believes the Newcastle back four have improved in recent weeks and are up to the task in helping him keep more clean sheets for the club. Although Newcastle have lost all three of their Champions League fixtures so far, they have won their last two Premiership matches against Sunderland and Birmingham City and the Magpies are looking somewhat more resilient at the back of late.
"We've taken stick this year and probably over the last few seasons, but we're improving in the goals against tally, there's no doubt about that," said the Donegal man.
"But it's not just myself and the back four, it's the team as a whole. We've got to work as a unit because if we're left exposed at the back, sometimes it's hard to deal with no matter how good you are. It's important that the whole team takes credit for the clean sheets as well, from Alan Shearer and Lomana LuaLua up front right to the back, we have to work hard when we lose the ball to get it back and defend well," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
