WHILE the critics of Newcastle United's error-strewn defence continue to feed off fresh mistakes, teenage winger Charles N'Zogbia has leapt to the defence of his French colleague Jean-Alain Boumsong.

Even club talisman Alan Shearer chose to publicly moan about Newcastle's backline after watching Middlesbrough capitalise on huge amounts of space to score two goals at St James' Park on Monday.

In the first instance a wayward Titus Bramble pass to James Morrison started the move which led to Aiyegbeni Yakubu scoring Boro's opening goal

And then substitute Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink belied his 33-years and outpaced Boumsong before putting the Teessiders in front with just three minutes remaining.

Only Lee Clark's injury-time leveller saved the pair's blushes, something that infuriated Newcastle skipper Shearer.

"Defensively we were sloppy again and paid for it," he said.

"We weren't in that much trouble and whatever they created I think we created for them."

Newcastle's shortcomings at the back have been apparent on numerous occasions this season, yet they have recorded eight clean sheets in the Premiership - the eighth best in the league.

The sensational form of goalkeeper Shay Given has no doubt played a large part in that statistic, although he has conceded two in each of the last four games.

But N'Zogbia, fast becoming a fans' favourite for his direct running from the wing, believes his close friend Boumsong is being unfairly singled out by those looking for someone to blame for the club's current plight.

"He is like my big brother. He always puts an arm on my shoulder and looks after me. Ever since he joined Newcastle, he has helped me. He has more experience and tells me what to do," said N'Zogbia, who does not turn 20 until May.

"He gets criticised a lot and that is unfair. Football can be like that with fans having a go but he is someone who always tries to do his best on the pitch.

"He has had a lot to deal with. His wife has had a few problems and his son has not been well either. He has had to return to Paris quite often and then come back for training which is not easy.

"Jean-Alain has done very well to come through all that. It shows his character.

"I still believe he is a top class defender and he will show that in the World Cup."

N'Zogbia has always been earmarked by under-fire manager Graeme Souness as a player with a great deal of potential since he took over from Sir Bobby Robson in September 2004.

But, despite Souness' early reluctance to pin too much pressure on the young man's shoulders, the former Le Havre midfielder has found himself thrust into the top-flight spotlight more regularly.

He is not the only one either. Peter Ramage has performed admirably in the continued absence of Stephen Carr at right-back, while Steven Taylor would be still in the side had he not suffered a serious shoulder problem.

And N'Zogbia is confident he can help Newcastle climb into the top half of the table again, having slipped off the pace over the festive period when they failed to win any of their three matches.

"Players like myself have a big role to play now with so many team-mates injured.

"For me, I want to play and I will always do my best," he said.

"I have not been in football a long time but even so, I have never heard of a club with so many troubles with many players unavailable.

"There is a lot of responsibility on young players like myself and Peter Ramage but we are enjoying the challenge."

Bereft of the services of £16m striker Michael Owen until around April with a broken metatarsal, N'Zogbia is keen to ensure Newcastle are still in with a chance of winning the FA Cup when the England man returns.

League Two side Mansfield visit St James' on Saturday and offer the Magpies the perfect platform to take a first step forward in the competition.

And N'Zogbia said: "We want to keep the season alive for Michael Owen.

"He does not come back for a while but it is up to the rest of us to ensure that when he does return there is still so much to play for.

"Losing him is a big blow and of course we will miss him, but that does not mean we have to struggle without him.

"It is a big challenge for Newcastle.

"Cup games are always big games for a club like this because we know what it means to the fans. We all want to win the Cup and must make sure we are still in the competition when Michael returns.

"In his absence I'm sure Albert Luque will come good. He has had a difficult time so far and has found it hard to play in English football but against Middlesbrough he showed glimpses of what he can do."

Meanwhile, Shola Ameobi is the latest name to have joined the injury list.

Ameobi will have a scan on a hip problem after limping out of the draw with Boro.

Souness is already without Owen (toe), Scott Parker (knee), Emre (hamstring), Kieron Dyer (hamstring), Taylor (shoulder), Carr (hernia) and Craig Moore (hamstring) through injury.

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