Winger Matt Jess believes Exeter Chiefs will be stronger next season as a result of their struggles this term.
The Sandy Park outfit have only won three of their last 14 Aviva Premiership matches, with one game to go at Newcastle on Saturday.
However, last weekend's 30-29 loss at home against Harlequins saw a dramatic improvement in the Chiefs' display as they fought tooth and nail.
That attitude was missing when they lost 55-12 in their previous game against Sale, and Jess said the lessons they have learned from the defeats this season would benefit them in the long run.
"We'll take this (the Harlequins result) and this whole year, we'll look at our performances and the Sale performance and next season, when the new stand is up, we'll come out and we'll be different players," said Jess.
"We've learned as a team this year, through some results that have slipped away from us by one point or two points, and we'll get stronger.
"We're a close-knit group, we'll rebuild and we'll come out next year firing at home."
Jess feels part of the reason for the slump in fortunes this term has been the experienced players they have lost through retirement.
After club legend Rich Baxter decided to hang up his boots at the end of last season, former skipper Tom Hayes, his long-time second-row partner James Hanks and hooker Chris Whitehead have been forced to call it a day due to injury during this campaign.
Jess says other players have stepped up to fill the void, such as Kai Horstmann, and thinks they can drive the club on again next time around.
"You look at Tommy Hayes, James Hanks and Chrissy – they're big parts of the club from the Championship days and Chris joined us when we were promoted," he said.
"These lads have been the compound of the team. They've gone away and we've had to put other peoples' leadership skills to the test. Boys like Henry Slade have been those leaders.
"Kai has come in, he's got a massive head on his shoulders, he's played lots of Premiership games, and we can learn from people like him.
"Hopefully we can get better, turn up next year, especially at home, and get wins against these top-four sides."
Before thoughts can turn to the 2014/15 season, Exeter end their campaign against Dean Richards' Falcons.
Jess said he and his teammates will be looking to sign off on a positive note by winning at Kingston Park.
"We can go to Newcastle and put in a big performance like we did on Sunday because we know it's in us," he said.
"Hopefully we can take some pride with us, go up to Newcastle and bring back five points. We can really end the year on a massive high."
Jess, 30, scored just his second league try against Harlequins on Sunday as Exeter built a 23-5 lead early in the second half.
However, just like when he scored against Gloucester in March, the winger's score came in defeat.
The former Launceston flier hopes he can break that run and cross the line in a victory this weekend.
Jess said of his try: "Ian (Whitten) sold the dummy really well and gave me a great inside ball for me to finish off.
"It was nice to get over for the try, but like the Gloucester match it was a game that got away from us.
"Hopefully this weekend I can score a try and we can actually win the game. When the opportunities come hopefully I can take them."
