ALAN PARDEW says the reason for his short post-match interview after the game against Walsall was because of negativity.

The Saints boss took many by surprise with a seemingly frustrated reaction to his team’s biggest win of the season, the convincing 5-1 victory over the Saddlers at St Mary’s.

Despite being popular with the fans, Pardew has been put under pressure by executive chairman Nicola Cortese who issued a statement insisting the club’s priority this season remains reaching the playoffs.

After that Saints responded not only by reaching Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy but also with a brilliant win over league leaders Norwich at Carrow Road.

That was followed though by a disappointing goalless draw with second bottom Wycombe.

That only increased the pressure just a little more and after the Walsall game, with a crushing victory in the bag, Pardew gave a very muted response.

He was also spotted by fans heading away from the ground curiously early, at about 5.15pm.

When asked to explain the short interview Pardew didn’t state whether the negativity was from the media or within the club or from the fan base but pointed to it as the reason.

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He said: “I think it was plainly obvious.

“Sometimes there is different things that annoys managers and I was just pleased my team gave a performance that I thought was coming and showed the potential of the team we have.

“Some of the negative talk annoyed me.

“We’ve good young players – they’re not consistently brilliant, they’re not going to be.

“Some of them, like Michail Antonio, Morgan Schneiderlin and Adam Lallana, are 19, 20 or 21.

“Sometimes you’ve got to be patient.”

Pardew will have to decide whether to name an unchanged side to the one that defeated Walsall so handsomely or whether having three games this week means his veterans like centre-half Radhi Jaidi need a break.

Saints are hopeful that Dan Seaborne will be fit to be involved against Huddersfield at St Mary’s tonight.

He injured his knee in training and needed a scan, which revealed the damage was not as bad as first feared.

Instead of any ligament damage he had bad bruising but that has now subsided and he is in contention for a recall, at least to the bench.

David Connolly’s groin injury could heal in time for him to get a place on the bench but Lloyd James and Graeme Murty are still out.