MATT Le Tissier has thrown his full support behind Alan Pardew ahead of reported crunch talks with chairman Nicola Cortese.

Cortese was supposedly due to be meeting the Saints manager today, with owner Markus Liebherr allegedly unhappy at the progress made this season.

But it appears the talks will now not take place today, according to reports.

Despite persistent rumours Pardew is being prepared for the sack, Cortese has failed to publicly back his manager yet.

As a result, Saints legend Le Tissier has also hit out at Cortese’s handling of the situation.

Le Tissier believes the club should be grateful that Pardew wants to remain at St Mary’s.

“I would be immensely disappointed if they sacked Alan," he told the Daily Echo.

“I would be very disappointed.

“He (Cortese) has handled this issue very poorly.

“He should be grateful that Alan Pardew wants to stay and work here.”

See today's Daily Echo for the full story