Huddersfield Town urged to take their chances in order to survive

ALEX PRITCHARD admits Huddersfield Town need to be more ruthless in front of goal as they scrap for Premier League survival.
Crystal Palace's James Tomkins (left) and Huddersfield Town's Alex Pritchard battle for the ball in their recent encounter. Picture: Richard Sellers/PACrystal Palace's James Tomkins (left) and Huddersfield Town's Alex Pritchard battle for the ball in their recent encounter. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA
Crystal Palace's James Tomkins (left) and Huddersfield Town's Alex Pritchard battle for the ball in their recent encounter. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

The Terriers remain outside the drop zone despite defeat at Newcastle United seeing another blank fired on the road.

Twelve of the club’s 16 away games in the top flight have ended without David Wagner’s men finding the net.

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With a trip to Brighton up next, Town are desperate to put an end to their goal-scoring woes.

“The spirit is there,” said Pritchard, whose arrival in January has brought some much-needed creativity to Town’s attacking play.

“But in this league it is not just work. It is quality. When you have that chance, you have to take it – and we didn’t against Newcastle.

“We have to carry on. We go to Brighton and we need the same mentality.”

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Since thumping Crystal Palace 3-0 on the opening day, Huddersfield have struggled to find the net in their first season at this level for 45 years. The club’s tally of 25 goals is the joint lowest in the Premier League along with West Bromwich and Swansea City.

Often, such a paltry return would have a team deep in trouble but the Terriers remain three points clear of the relegation zone with six games remaining.

Much of this is down to the failings of others, with even Saturday’s loss at St James’ Park inflicting only minimal damage.

That was thanks to the other five clubs in the bottom six all slipping to defeat. Relying on others is not an option during a run-in that pits several relegation candidates against each other.

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West Brom host Swansea as Town travel to the south coast looking to complete a league double over the Seagulls.

“After the game, you want to know how the other results went,” said Pritchard. “But it will be what it will be.

“As long as you work hard and keep going, you always have a chance. We were all disappointed to concede in the 80th minute (last Saturday). It is always difficult going to a place like Newcastle.

“We play in a deep block and when we win the ball back we have to look after it.

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“We try and break quick on teams, that means the quality of pass has to be there.

“Against Newcastle, it was difficult.

“We had a header from a corner that was blocked and if that had gone in to make it 1-1 no-one would be talking about the chances.”