Tony Mowbray's side have often matched their opponents in terms of their general performance levels since gaining promotion from the Championship.

But too many unforced errors and having only the likes of Paul Robinson, Jonathan Greening and Scott Carson accustomed to regular top-flight football has contributed to their downfall.

Brunt said: "We knew it would be tough in the Premier League when we started as we didn't have too many players with Premier League experience.

"We did so many good things in the games but individual mistakes cost us.

"The quicker we can learn things the more chance we've got of doing well in the Premier League - but it hasn't worked like that.

"The way we have played, we could have had more points. We've had games where we've not made the most of chances or individual mistakes have cost us - like Newcastle or Stoke at home in recent weeks.

"Those have been the key games that could have kick-started us."

Albion are nine points adrift of safety but Brunt continues to tow the party line in stating the team cannot throw in the towel.

He said: "I don't think we can accept that we're down. You never know, something may happen, but we know it will be an uphill battle.

"We're professional players and need to repay the fans who have watched us this season. We've had good days and bad days and I think they appreciate the effort we've put in.

"We have to try and do ourselves justice in the last few games. It's hard to take but we have to get on with it. We have to do it, if not for ourselves then for the football club and fans."

Brunt believes Albion's season was summed up by events against Manchester City at Eastlands when they came from two goals down to level at 2-2 only to eventually lose 4-2.

He said: "I felt that was the best we've played for a long time. We created lots of chances and unfortunately for us we didn't put them away and got punished.

"It was the story of our season once again. We got ourselves into a good position and threw it away.

"We deserved more than what we got out of the game. We created chances, played good stuff and matched Man City. But they defended better than we did and put their chances away."