Pritchard: ‘Hard work is a given’ with new coach
Alex Pritchard says a full week of training with new head coach Alex Neil will help the Sunderland team settle after a manic fortnight.
The Black Cats appointed Neil just a day before their 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon.
While the disappointing result marked another missed opportunity against a side fighting to avoid relegation, it did end a three-match winless run in League One.
"Look we’ve been in a difficult period and it’s difficult to take,” Pritchard told the Echo.
“We only got a point, but at the end of the day we’ve stopped the rot and got a point, so we can move on.
When asked about the last fortnight, which saw the club part company with Lee Johnson before a prolonged search for a new head coach, Pritchard said: “This is football and we have to deal with what goes on on the pitch and it’s not a lack of effort.
“We’ve been trying our hardest.
“We can have a good training week with the new gaffer starting from Monday and go into the next game knowing what the gaffer wants.
“It’s settled down and we can settle down into what we were like before now everything has changed.
“We had a manic two weeks, but now we can settle down and have a full week.”
"It’s difficult when the gaf
fer comes in on Friday and you only have one day with him, but we’ll have a full week next week so we’ll be better.”
Pritchard played under Neil at Norwich City, so knows what to expect from the new boss.
“Hard work is a given, you have to work hard,” said the playmaker when asked about Neil.
“When you are playing for Sunderland, you have to work hard and that is the number one rule.
“You should wear the shirt
with privilege and that’s what the gaffer said at full-time, and we know that, the boys know that.”
Pritchard scored Sunderland’s equaliser at Plough Lane, his second goal in as many matches from deadball situations.
“To be fair with so many games and whatnot, I have to be careful with how much I do,” said Pritchard when discussing his goal.
“Obviously you don’t hit 10 free-kicks in a row, you only have one, maybe two
a game. When you get it around the box it’s a confidence thing and just taking your time, making sure you execute and making sure you hit the target.”
Pritchard was one of Sunderland’s best players towards the end of last year, but suffered a minor calf issue in January.
The 28-year-old feels that he is getting back up to speed now, though.
“There was obviously something there, but now I’m playing again and getting
back up to speed,” he said. “I felt back up to speed out there.”
Sunderland now face a tough run of games, starting with this weekend’s home game against promotion rivals MK Dons, who currently sit third in the League One table, one place above Sunderland.
The Black Cats are then set to host Burton Albion, before back-to-back away fixtures at second-placed Wigan Athletic and Charlton Athletic.