SHAY Given is urging the Toon Army not to panic despite United's poor start to the new season.

The Magpies are yet to win a Premiership game this season, but the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper reckons the fans can play a big part in helping to turn that form around when Bolton come to Gallowgate on Saturday.

"We haven't had the best of starts to the season, we don't need to be told that, and hopefully we can get that first win on Saturday against Bolton," said Given.

"I know the fans are stressed out about it and I totally understand that, but the players know that a victory on Saturday could set us off on a good run to help us move away from the wrong end of the table.

"We are confident in our own ability, and we know we havent't become a bad team overnight. We had a bad start last season and went on a tremendous run  - particularly here at St. James' - and ended up finishing third.

"The mood is good amongst the players, and while there's pressure on us from the likes of the media to do well, the lads can't really get affected by all that.

"All we can do is to continue to work hard and we know that first win won't be too far away."

United picked up a point in their last game at Everton, but Saturday is their first game back on home soil since the miserable week which saw them lose at home to Manchester United, Partizan Belgrade and Birmingham City.

"Everyone here was disappointed with the way things went in that week, but we got away for the international break and while it would have been nice to have taken all three points at Goodison Park, there were still a lot of positives to come from the game against Everton," added Shay.

"I think the onus was on Everton to attack in that game, and that helps us because we get plenty of opportunities going forward. We got forward a lot and caused them problems with our pace.

"That wasn't the case against Birmingham in the last home game, because they put a lot of players behind the ball and frustrated us. But we know that's what teams will do when they come up to play us here, and maybe Bolton will do the same on Saturday.

"What we have to do is try to play our normal game and play to our strengths, but if the opposition stop us from doing that then it's up to us as a team to explore other avenues and make things happen.

"We went behind a few times at home last season, and we had to really chip away at teams to break them down, but more often than not we ended up winning the games.

"We will be patient as a team when that happens, and hopefully the fans will be patient as well."