Winning goalscorer Ben Pringle says Town now have to build on Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Huddersfield.

The midfielder’s 19th minute goal, his first for the club, ended Town’s three-game run of defeats, the first time the Blues had lost three in a row in the Championship under Mick McCarthy’s management.

The result moved Town up to ninth, four points off the play-offs, albeit with a significantly inferior goal difference to Sheffield Wednesday in sixth, although with a game in hand.

“It is a different mindset depending on where you are in the table,” said Pringle, who signed on loan earlier in the month.

“Obviously at Fulham I’ve tended not to look at it but at Ipswich, especially when you win like this, you are excited when you come off the pitch to see where you are and to see if you have managed to jump up a couple of places in the table.

“The gap is only four points and we have a game in hand which we have to capitalise on.”

Town’s March fixtures look crucial to their play-off aspirations with next Saturday’s home game against 15th-placed Nottingham Forest, who have lost their last three matches, followed by a midweek trip to second-bottom Bolton Wanderers.

After that, the Blues visit Cardiff City, who are seventh a point ahead of Town, before Blackburn, currently 18th, and then third-bottom Rotherham, Pringle’s former club, are at Portman Road.

Reflecting on the victory over the Terriers, Newcastle-born Pringle added: “It wasn’t pretty, but that is the Championship. I didn’t really know what day of the week it was in the first 20 minutes, but we responded really well.

“You come to these type of places and you know the crowd are going to get on top of you. You have got dig in and put in a performance. We had to grind it out.

“It was only my third game so I’m delighted to have got on the scoresheet in such an important game.

“I think I can bring more goals to the team, so it is a question of getting in the box as much as I can and getting on the end of chances. Now my job is to try and score a few more.”

Pringle is on loan with the Blues for an initial month, although the provision is there for the spell to be extended to the end of the season.

“I wasn’t getting enough game time at Fulham,” the 26-year-old continued. “They have a big squad and if you are not getting games you need to get out and play.

“The boss gave me a call and it was an easy decision to make as he wants me to play. It was a no-brainer.

“If I am enjoying it — which I am - and the boss is enjoying having me here, there is an option to extend it. At the moment I’m just keeping my head down.”

Pringle signed a two-year deal with an option for a further season when he joined the Cottagers in the summer after rejecting a new contract with the Millers.

Meanwhile, Town’s U21s are in action against Bristol City at Playford Road this afternoon (KO 1pm).

Photo: Action Images

Kikapu added 16:09 - Feb 29 Gaz1234 That would be the case if no large bonuses were on offer for players and management. You don't seriously think that there aren't? What do you take these people for?
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Seasider added 17:17 - Feb 29 Think we a being a little premature on here talking about players that can make the step up to the Premiership. Yes we won Saturday(just)thanks to Bart,their forwards who missed several gilt edged chances,and Ben Pringle,who I hope club is able sign till end of season. However this was the only shot on goal.I am not getting carried away;but I am mindful that if we resign Ben then will he be available for play offs,or can the total of Loan only be 93days. I presume though that as Mick said that we have been decimated in midfield area,he may try and get a player in who if signed for 93days would presumably be elible for play offs,if we get there.

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carlo88 added 17:51 - Feb 29 If Wes Morgan is playing in the Premier League's top side I reckon Berra would do just fine, in a confident winning side.
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