SHAY GIVEN says Newcastle will sort out their defensive problems in private after Saturday's late collapse against Fulham.

The Magpies looked to have the points in the bag thanks to Scott Parker's 55th minute header, but Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra scored twice in the last seven minutes to give the visitors the victory.

Newcastle's defending was hammered by various pundits in the post-mortem from the game, and while Given acknowledged that mistakes were made, he says that any discussions between the team will take place behind closed doors.

Given said: "If you looked at the Sunday League football around Newcastle you wouldn't even see the kind of goals we gave away against Fulham.

"I don't want to dig things out or blame any individuals, but we've given one of the best players in the Premiership in terms of heading the ball total freedom of the six-yard box.

"It's amazing, but we have to talk about it privately and get it sorted out within the camp."

He added: "Before the game we felt those were three points we really had to get.

"Scotty popped up with a great run into the box and a great header.

"He was inspirational, but we've then given away two bad goals.

"It just isn't acceptable and as a team we need to improve.

"They didn't even carve us open, we handed them the goals on a plate.

"That's the most disappointing thing for us."

"At the end of the day we win as a team and lose as a team.

"It's just frustrating that we have lost in the way we did.

"We have got time to work on these errors, but we also have some difficult games coming up as well.

"Now we need men around the dressing-room because we have to go on the pitch and stand up and be counted.

"We've got West Ham away and then away to Liverpool and they are tough games.

"But we've got Tallinn away on Thursday, so we need to bounce back as quickly as possible."

More reaction on Newcastle World TV. Sign up now for the whole season for just £11.99