Roeder can lead Toon to Europe, says Given

SHAY GIVEN admits Glenn Roeder has transformed Newcastle from relegation candidates to European hopefuls within the space of a month.

The Magpies have won four of five matches since Roeder took over from the sacked Graeme Souness on a caretaker basis.

Three wins and a draw in the Barclays Premiership have taken them from the fringes of a relegation fight to within six points of tomorrow’s opponents Bolton, currently occupying the sixth place Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd set as a minimum requirement this season.

European qualification may be a faint hope but remains a possibility if current results continue, especially with Newcastle set to be boosted by the return to fitness of Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble.

“The first game we had under Glenn was Portsmouth at home and it was a six-pointer,” said Given.

“Now we are looking up the table and trying to catch the teams above us. We have got another home game on Saturday. Hopefully everyone away on international duty will stay clear of injury.

“It’s going to be difficult but if we can get three points on Saturday, it will be looking good.

“Bolton are a tricky team to play against and they are dangerous on set-pieces as well.

“They can also play some good football - they are not in the top six for no reason.

“It’s not going to be an easy game but the confidence is high in our team now.”

The revival in Newcastle’s fortunes has been stunning since Roeder’s temporary appointment with only Charlton having denied his side victory.

He has brought organisation to the side and they are now playing more progressive football but perhaps his biggest achievement has been to patch up a leaky defence.

Newcastle under Roeder have conceded just once, in the 2-1 win at Aston Villa, but that achievement is made more remarkable in light of the absences of Stephen Carr and Steven Taylor throughout, a two-match suspension for Celestine Babayaro, and a Titus Bramble hamstring injury.

Given has still had to be at his best on occasions to help out a makeshift back four but admits he and his defenders have learned to enjoy their job again.

“We defended exceptionally well against Everton (last weekend) and sometimes it’s up to us to enjoy defending when it is difficult out there,” he added.

“We stuck together as a team, and showed a lot of fighting spirit. We enjoyed defending, and we enjoyed keeping another clean sheet.

“It’s very pleasing. Glenn’s done some work on the back four and it’s reaping its rewards.

“In an ideal world, you would like a settled back four, but it’s not always an ideal world here.

“We are struggling a little bit for defenders but everyone did really well against Everton.

“Titus hurt his hamstring against Charlton and Robbie Elliott’s come in and filled in at centre-back. He did very well.”