Jan Bednarek may have to step up again if the Saints lose their defensive partner to injury again.
Manager Russell Martin charged the Polish international with “taking real responsibility” and capitalizing on his expertise in a squad devoid of loud voices.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, his centre-back partner, returned early from international duty to Staplewood on Thursday to be evaluated for a potential hamstring injury.
In the last month, the pair had been analyzing critical clips in unit meetings to improve, while the play in front of them had isolated them in less instances.
Martin told the Daily Echo: “Janny takes real responsibility, especially in the last few games after we asked him to take more responsibility.” He’s taken the initiative.
“It’s all you want, for the player to be themselves in any moment. In football, you get a piece taken out of you every year from the age of six.
“Coaches, parents or players – whoever it is, you lose a bit of yourself and the hardest thing is being authentic and getting back to being yourself.”
He added: “At every club we have been it, it’s been one of our biggest challenges. To play this way, you have to feel the fear and embrace it to play anyway.
“Some players can get through that and the ones that do show the best version of themselves. Jan is starting to show the best version of himself.
“He’s incredibly professional. If you could build a centre-half in terms of what they could do and what it would look like physically, it wouldn’t be far from Jan.
“I’m excited about the level he could get to, it’s a good thing for us that he has been willing to take this on.
“He’s been frustrated that we have conceded so many goals, he really cares, Jan. He really cares. What he can do is lead and take responsibility.
“He doesn’t need to do it with the pressure of an armband or any nonsense, he’s willing to watch his clips, learn, be vulnerable and accept certain things.
“And, when you’re that big, it helps that you can go in and calm things down. He knows the characters of the group and which ones need help in these situations.”
A further update on the condition of Harwood-Bellis is expected next week but, if confirmed, a hamstring injury could rule him out between just days and six weeks.
Meanwhile, club captain Jack Stephens, who started the first four Championship games alongside Bednarek, is still out.
The Torpoint-born defender has only recently come out of a protective boot and is unlikely to be fit for the trip to Hull City, but no official word has been given.
“We have missed Jack and it is no coincidence that we had a bit of a wobble when he came out of the team,” Martin was quoted as saying.
“The experience and voice he possesses are not natural to many people, but Taylor is a natural leader, and I can see why he has been England’s captain for some time.”
“When Jack returns, he’ll want a fight on his hands.”.
