Quality now

as West Ham United leapfrogged them courtesy of a commfortable victory over Southampton.

Newcastle dominated large portions of the match at St James’ Park, with Town unable to use the ball effectively during their 37 per cent of possession, but David Wagner’s side could have salvaged a point - or even three in the second half.

Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen went close with a header from a corner before Newcastle struck, while Scott Malone was unable to convert an equaliser at the back post in the visitors’ final attack of the match.

With Town preparing for Saturday’s trip to Brighton, Pritchard explained: “In this league it’s not just work - it’s quality.

“When you get that chance you’ve got to take it and we didn’t (at Newcastle).”

West Ham and Newcastle were the only teams in the bottom half to win and Pritchard admits that he does check the other results after Town’s match comes to an end.

“After the game you ask how the other results have gone but it’s just football,” he said.

“It will be what it will be - as long as you work hard and you keep going you’ve always got a chance. “We just have to carry on. “We have to go there (Brighton) with the same mentality and hopefully we do get a couple (of goals).”

Reflecting on the match at Newcastle, Pritchard added: “I think it’s always difficult going there.

“We play in a deep block so when we do win the ball back we do have to take care of it.

“Obviously we’re a long way from goal, but if you try and break quick the quality of the pass has got to be there – but it was difficult.

“We had one from the corner