Given calls for United shock
21 Feb 2008 - 10:30:11
Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given has admitted it is all hands to the pump as they look to pull away from the lower reaches of the table.
The Magpies face Manchester United at St James' Park on Saturday evening desperate for points after slipping to 13th place on the back of a ten-match winless sequence.
During their dismal run, Newcastle were thrashed 6-0 by a rampant United at Old Trafford and Given is looking for a response when they take on the champions for a second time this weekend.
"We're expecting to get points," he told the club's official website.
"We're in a bit of trouble at the moment, so us as players are expecting to get points on board.
"It's all about everybody sticking together and working hard to get results to get us away from the bottom half of the table.
"If the likes of myself and some of the older players can help as experienced pros then we'll do that, but it's all hands to the pump at the moment - young and old."
Speaking about last month's heavy defeat at Old Trafford, the Republic of Ireland international added: "It was a terrible game for the club and all the fans and players.
"Man United on the day were brilliant to be fair and we were poor, but to lose any game 6-0 is embarrassing and we have to put that right and have a reaction to that and being at home is a big help."