Pardew defends cup decision

Chairman Nicola Cortese this week insisted league results must improve despite Saints sitting in mid-table having overcome the 10-point penalty they suffered at the start of the season.

Pardew's side are also in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and face a mouth-watering FA Cup fifth-round tie against south-coast foes Portsmouth on Saturday.

Pardew said: "My job is to try and get the right balance between the league campaign and these cup campaigns.

"Unfortunately in the league we've slipped up a little bit, but we've drawn games rather than lost them. It's very frustrating but we hope to put that right."

Source: PA

Source: PA