Bednarek says Southampton can bring joy in the Championship

Saints, bottom of the Premier League with 11 points, will be back in England's second tier again next season, and Bednarek believes changes are needed.

The Polish international, who reportedly has a relegation release clause in his contract, has backed Saints to return to the top flight at the first attempt.

"It's been a very, very hard season for all of us. I think everyone is trying, but I think it's just not good enough," Bednarek told Premier League Productions.

Jan Bednarek and Adam Lallana. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson)

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"I think we have to take some steps, we have to make some changes in the club, in our lives, to improve, to learn.

"But I think overall for this group of people, for the club, it's a huge, huge lesson. And I think if we learn from that, it's only going to be better.

"In our lives, in the club's lives, for the fans, I think we can bring a lot of joy, even playing in the Championship.

"And I think at the end of the next season we can prove that we belong to the Premier League and come back to it."

Southampton missed a big opportunity to inject some optimism into the club's psyche when they lost 2-0 at Leicester City last weekend.

The Foxes, also already relegated, dominated Saints despite enduring a nine-game goalless run at home before welcoming Simon Rusk's side.

Jan Bednarek signed a new contract earlier this season. (Image: Stuart Martin) READ: Harwood-Bellis not 'wishing away' the final three matches

Looking ahead to facing Man City this weekend, Bednarek insisted that the most important thing for Saints is to show a reaction and create more chances.

"I think the way we played against Leicester, the way we performed wasn't good enough, even for our standards" Bednarek added.

"I would say, the level we were presenting this season wasn't good enough for this league, for this competition, but I think last weekend was unacceptable.

"I think the performance was not good enough and I think we're the first people that admit that. We look in the mirror.

"We say 'Come on, we have to work harder, we have to do better than this'. In training, everyone has shown a good reaction and I think we just have to move on.

Jan Bednarek has made 29 Premier League appearances so far this season. (Image: PA)

"The main subject during the week was to show a reaction because we know we are better than what we showed last weekend.

"We have to find a way that we can also defend and be a threat up front. I think that's what we were missing at some points.

"For example, against Fulham, we were ahead in the second half, but I don't think we were a threat at all.

"And I think when you have to defend 20 situations instead of 10 or 15, it makes it harder because the percentage is going up in their favour."