ACCORDING to one of America's founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, the only things certain in this world are death and taxes.

The last ten or so years has seen the ridiculing of Newcastle United's defence every season added to those two certainties.

There is a sneaky suspicion, however, that may be about to change after Thursday's 0-0 draw in Frankfurt made it six clean sheets in ten games for the Magpies.

In their last 12 games in all competitions Newcastle have conceded only six goals - a record only bettered by Manchester United of the Premiership clubs.

The return of Shay Given to the first-team has undoubtedly been a boost for the defence, but the Republic of Ireland international is happy to hand the praise to the outfield players, including defensive midfielder Nicky Butt

"Were always trying to improve as a defensive unit," said Given, who has conceded twice in the four games he's played since returning after suffering a perforated bowel.

"We've had a lot of stick over the years so it's nice to get some praise. They certainly deserve some praise.

"In Frankfurt we deserved a clean sheet for the number of blocks we got in at crucial times.

"Nicky Butt should take a lot of credit for the way things have tightened up. He's been fantastic in front of the back four and helps the lads defend better.

"But it's not about shutting the critics up - it's more that we want to keep more clean sheets and improve defensively and as a team.

"I don't think it's to do with shutting people up. We just want to improve our league position and carry on making progress in Europe.

"We now have a huge game against Reading and it's handy to have the few extra days off because it gives the lads who have knocks the chance to get right."

Given, however, knows there is still a lot of work to do to improve the club's league form, with the side level on points with third-bottom Sheffield United.

That recent good run included the low of a 1-0 home defeat to the Blades, a game that ended with hundreds of supporters demonstrating at St James' Park and calling for chairman Freddy Shepherd to resign.

Since then Newcastle are undefeated in six, but their league position is still a cause for concern, with Reading next up at home on Wednesday.

Given said: "It's imperative this club pulls away from the relegation zone.

"We need to build on that result against Portsmouth.

"Reading are going well in seventh but we'd be expecting to get three points. I think we're six games unbeaten in all competitions and little things like that might help us keep things going and get a bit of momentum. We're feeling quite positive at the moment.

"The confidence is creeping back into the team now. But we need to get results in the Premiership because this a massive club and shouldn't be down there."

Glenn Roeder's side have become something of cup specialists this term, with a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup and a last-eight spot in the Carling Cup against Chelsea later this month.

The UEFA Cup draw takes place in a fortnight and with Newcastle topping their group, they avoid a tie against one of the Champions League drop-outs, with Given convinced there could finally be silverware on Tyneside after a near 40-year wait.

"We think we can go all the way in this competition this season," said Given, who played in both the semi-final defeat against Marseille in 2004 and the quarter-final loss to Sporting Lisbon a year later.

"The draw will get tougher but whoever we draw we will be ready to take them on.

"If we get a decent draw for the next round there is no reason why we can't keep going forward and we're looking forward to seeing who we might get.

"This was called the Group of Death (Newcastle, Palermo, Fenerbahce, Celta Vigo) - every team that came out seemed to be a top European team, so this is a fantastic achievement.

"We really didn't want to get one of the Champions League teams.

"People might say we haven't played anyone in Europe but that's not the case, we've played some quality teams already."

Given's deputy, Steve Harper, linked up with his team-mates in Frankfurt after successfully undergoing an operation on a double hernia in Munich.

The 31-year-old is expected to be available again early in the new year.

The Jersey-based consortium in discussions over a possible takeover at Newcastle United will decide whether to bid for the club before the end of this month.

The Belgravia group was expected to launch a £235m takeover in Novemmber and, despite that failing to materialise, they insist they remain an interested party.

A spokesman said: "We are still in talks which may or may not lead to a deal but from our perspective we are still very keen to do a deal.

"The transfer window is approaching and I think from both parties' perspective that is something to focus the minds."