Gavin Bazunu has opened up on his 'difficult' first season in Premier League football.
The Irish goalkeeper joined Southampton from Manchester City last summer having spent last season on loan at Portsmouth.
Bazunu immediately took over as number one goalkeeper and started Southampton's first 32 league games of the season.
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The 21-year-old has come in for criticism at times this season as Southampton have struggled, with Jamie Carragher calling the youngster 'a big problem' earlier this week.
The ex-Shamrock Rovers man was pulled from the starting line-up and replaced by veteran Alex McCarthy in recent weeks, although this has done little to improve Southampton's fortunes.
Speaking to Sky Sports this week, Bazunu admitted his first season in the top-flight has been difficult, but stressed that it has thought him the value of resiliency.
"Football is full of disappointments and the ones at the top who have experienced that disappointment and being able to fight back and get up off the ground after being knocked down.
“And I think that's what this season has constantly been. It has been about learning how to get back up, learning how to be resilient, to bounce back after defeat and after poor performances.
"To somehow keep that level of confidence. I think for me that's probably the biggest thing I have learned this season. No matter what happens, you have always got the next game and you've got to continue to fight and work towards that."
Ruben Selles' side remain rooted to the foot of the table and will be relegated to the Championship should they fail to win at Fulham this weekend.
But a win may not even be enough for the Saints, who will see their 11 season stint in the Premier League come to an end regardless of what happens at Craven Cottage if Leicester or Leeds win this weekend.
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