ALEX Pritchard believes his goal return during his first full season in professional football could have been better but the midfielder is loving life with Swindon Town.

Pritchard, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, netted his eighth goal of the campaign at Coventry City on Good Friday, while the diminutive playmaker has also contributed with eight assists over the course of his term in red.

With just three games remaining before he returns to White Hart Lane and, inevitably, at least one step up the Football League ladder over the summer, Pritchard told the Advertiser that he felt he could have got himself on the scoresheet a few more times.

He said: “In my first year, it could be better.

“My assists have been good this year but my goalscoring record could be a bit better. But I’m playing football so I’m happy.

“I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve not really thought of anything else other than playing for Swindon.”

Perhaps the best of Pritchard’s efforts this season came against today’s visitors, Bradford City, at Valley Parade back in December. The 20-year-old’s darting run from just inside the Bantams half, around four players and ending with a fine finish was the highlight of an otherwise physical contest.

Pritchard believes, from the experience garnered back then, that Town have enough to beat Bradford at the County Ground.

He said: “The play-offs are right on the edge so we’re just enjoying ourselves now.

“We’re not really focusing on anything else, if we enjoy ourselves we win so we’ll just keep trying to do that.

“When we played at their ground we played good football. We dominated the game and we were unlucky there. Coming back to our ground, if the fans stick with us, with three games left, anything can happen.”

Finally, Pritchard reserved special praise for teammate Michael Smith, who emerged through some scathing criticism of late to net a 93rd-minute winner at Coventry.

He said: “Players react to it sometimes and get their heads down sometimes.

“That’s what he’s done.

“He’s been great for us and shown today that he’ll keep sticking in there and goals will come when deliveries like that come.

“It’s a great ball from Jay Mac and it’s a great header, he deserves it.”