SHAY Given expects viewing figures for EastEnders to have fallen this week, because people will have been watching a real-life soap opera unfold at Newcastle United instead.

Events at Walford seem tame in comparison to what has been happening at St James' Park over the last fortnight, with multi-million pound transfer sagas, public disputes and internal power struggles hogging the headlines.

What has happened on the pitch has gone somewhat unnoticed - perhaps something of a blessing given that Newcastle have picked up just two points from their opening three Premiership games.

The start to the season has taken on a somewhat surreal air but, as United prepare to take on Aston Villa this afternoon, their goalkeeper has insisted the Magpies cannot use off-field events as a convenient excuse for their poor form on the pitch.

"I think people have cancelled watching EastEnders and they're watching us now," claimed Given, who made a string of impressive saves as a ten-man Newcastle drew 0-0 at Villa Park last season. "Off the pitch, there's a lot going on at the club - every single day it seems to be something else.

"But we've got to blank out whatever goes on off the pitch. We've got to focus on our jobs on the pitch because we're footballers and we get paid to play football and get results.

"It's up to the chairman and the manager to get things right off the pitch, but that shouldn't interfere with what we do.

"We just want to play football and get on with the season. We haven't had a great start with the two draws and a defeat, but we're going to be going to Villa to try to win. We know the pressure's on us."

That pressure increased when Newcastle threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Norwich on Wednesday night.

The Magpies looked to be home and hosed when Aaron Hughes doubled their advantage, but an uncharacteristic Given error let the Canaries back into the game.

There looked to be no danger when David Bentley chanced his arm from 30 yards, but the Newcastle stopper allowed the ball to squeeze out of his grasp and into the back of the net.

Given has been Newcastle's saviour on so many occasions in the last couple of years that few could begrudge him one moment of madness.

And, while the Republic of Ireland international admits his error proved costly, he is not about to let it affect his judgement in the Midlands.

"It's part and parcel of the position I'm in," said Given. "If a centre-forward misses a chance, it's 'Unlucky, you'll get the next one', but if you miss a shot like I did then nine times out of ten, it's going to result in a goal and that's what happened.

"I've done a lot of work on the psychology side of things and you can't beat yourself over things like that. Obviously you're very disappointed to let your team and your team-mates down, and to let a bad goal in.

"But I'm fine and I'm looking forward to putting it behind me. You've got to do that as a goalkeeper. You've got to concentrate on the job in hand and just get on with it."

With Titus Bramble still injured, Andy O'Brien will continue alongside Aaron Hughes at the heart of Newcastle's back four.

The Magpies have now conceded five goals in three games and, while Jonathan Woodgate would not have been fit had he still been at the club, his departure has put the backline under increased scrutiny.

"We've got to get a balance," said Given. "You can't be all-out attack because teams in the Premier League will punish you. You've got to find the right balance between attacking and defending.

"We don't want to become a boring team, but it's all about results and we need to get some."

Likely Line-Up (4-4-2): Given; Carr, Hughes, O'Brien, Bernard; Dyer, Jenas, Butt, Robert; Bellamy, Shearer.