Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed a secret friendly was held last week.
Hasenhuttl says his side played a second match versus Premier League opposition last weekend, with a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday.
The St Mary's outfit travelled to Manchester to face Man City at the Etihad Stadium in a match that finished 4-0 to the hosts.
Hasenhuttl revealed after the game they would be playing again the following day with another “in-doors" match to give fringe players an opportunity for minutes and fitness.
“The mood is as positive as possible after our not so good results," he began saying, speaking ahead of the visit from West Ham United on Sunday.
“We had two games last weekend, one where you saw the result and one where you didn't. An internal game but an important one where a few players showed they can be an option for this weekend so an important game for us," Hasenhuttl added.
“It was against another Premier League team," he revealed. “We did it because some players need to have game-time and this was good. I think it was absolutely good that we could give these players the chance.
“They haven't played so much and yeah for us it was important that at the beginning of the season - and we are still at the beginning of the season, I think it's important to keep everybody on a high level and give everybody the same workload on the weekend.
“So also the players who have played against Man City for a few minutes had the chance to play on Sunday. And this is also in the interest of some other Premier League clubs and this is good when you can do it."