SAINTS defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis feels his hard work is paying off after continuing his goalscoring form in a 3-1 win at Preston.
Harwood-Bellis, 24, scored his seventh goal of the season as Saints capped off the regular campaign with a victory over Preston on Saturday.
The one-time England international has more than doubled his previous career-best tally, and puts it down to an improved positioning in the box.
And Harwood-Bellis will not be satisfied with his tally until he surpasses defensive teammate Ryan Manning, who has scored eight goals.
“It was a really professional performance to get the three goals, we’re gutted to concede, but I’m really happy to get the winning feeling back,” he said.
“I said at the start of the season that I wanted to score more. I wanted to put my head in and score a few throughout the season. Luckily, I’ve got the goals.
“I put it down to my positioning, and I’ve worked a lot on my power, jumping and fitness to get up there. I feel like I’m winning a lot more headers.
“To help the team is always good. I want to get more than him [Manning], so hopefully I can score a few more.”
Southampton’s win at Deepdale secured a fourth-place finish in the Championship, the same position they managed in Harwood-Bellis’ first season.
As in that campaign, which ended in play-off glory, Saints will play the second leg of their semi-final, against Middlesbrough this time, at St Mary’s.
Harwood-Bellis knows that playing at home is a boost for fans, but noted that it makes less of a difference to a squad unbeaten in 19 league games.
“It was more about getting the winning feeling back. We back ourselves to beat anyone home and away, even if we had to play away twice,” he continued.
“It doesn’t really matter. We back ourselves and have given the fans a little bit of a boost, having the second leg at home, which we are buzzing to do.
“But that wasn’t too much of a focus for us. We just wanted to get that winning feeling back.”
Taylor Harwood-BULLET 💥 pic.twitter.com/0MsSjZAk4p
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 2, 2026
Harwood-Bellis, a former captain at youth level, has worn the armband in the absence of skipper Jack Stephens, who has been out with a calf issue.
The Under-21 Euro-winning captain believes he has matured a lot this season, and feels that is why Tonda Eckert picked him to replace Stephens in the short term.
“I’m very proud. I’ve seen myself as a leader since I was younger. I’ve had loads of things to work on, leadership-wise,” Harwood-Bellis explained.
“I’ve done that this year, and I think that’s why the gaffer has chosen to give it to me while Stevo has not been here.
“I’ve learned a lot from Stevo as well, and I’ve matured so much with my game, and I feel as though that has helped.”
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