DEFENDER Taylor Harwood-Bellis insisted he will not "wish away" Southampton's final three games in the Premier League.
Saints, already confirmed to finish bottom of the league after their 2-0 defeat to Leicester, face a difficult end to the season as they continue their bid to win 12 points.
They host Harwood-Bellis' former club, Manchester City, on Saturday before a trip to Everton next weekend in what will be the final competitive game at Goodison Park.
Simon Rusk's side will then host Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal on the final day of the season at St Mary's.
Harwood-Bellis believes Southampton's best chance of claiming points from the last three games is to play with "freedom".
"It's not a situation that's enjoyable. It's hard. I don't think anyone can say that it's not hurting us or anything like that," Harwood-Bellis told the Daily Echo.
"Out there in the dressing room is probably the worst I've felt. I can see it on the boys' faces. It's not a nice feeling to have.
"You're playing in the Premier League, and you've got three games left. It's not something that I'm wishing away or wanting to get over and done with.
"We're going to play against Man City and Arsenal. They're games that you want to play as a kid.
"I think if we go out there and try and play it as if we're enjoying it and have a bit of freedom, I do think we can get the points."
Saints have failed to deal with setbacks all season and have developed a tendency to crumble after conceding a goal or two in quick succession.
That is why they have leaked 82 goals in the Premier League this season, more than any other club in the division.
Harwood-Bellis admitted the players have found it difficult to react when faced with a challenge, but insisted it is not due to a lack of effort.
"I'm not going to lie, as a player, when you go 1-0 down and you know that your record's not very good, it plays on your mind," he explained.
"It's difficult because the boys don't want to just force it as well and just punt it forward. It's kind of a catch-22. Do you keep the ball and try and work it that way?
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"Or do you just beam it and then Conor Cody lets it go, takes Paul (Onuachu) under it and then it goes straight back to their keeper and they have the ball again?
"We've got to create more, but I think the way we're doing it can't just be booting it up to Paul, and hopefully he gets to chest it down.
"Because if he doesn't, then they have the ball again and they are on the attack. So, yeah, it's hard, but we'll keep trying."
Harwood-Bellis is expected to draw interest from other clubs in the summer transfer window, despite a difficult first season in the Premier League.
The one-time England international possesses desirable attributes and is still only 23, and could help Saints raise the funds required for the Championship season.
Asked about his future, and whether he thinks he has done enough to stay in the Premier League, Harwood-Bellis said: "I want to get the point or three points first.
"That's not something that anyone wants on their record. We'll be focusing on getting the point or three points, and we'll see in the summer."
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