Southampton manager Ruben Selles admits goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was angry at losing his place in the team.
Bazunu was dropped for Alex McCarthy for the home game against Bournemouth on Thursday.
The change did not make much difference to the Saints, as they lost to their relegation rivals 1-0 at home and are still bottom of the league.
Selles stated post-game: Alex has been working very well in the last weeks and he didn't have the chance to compete for the goalkeeper spot as he had injuries during the season.
Finally five weeks ago he was able to train and compete for the position and he's been very good. We try to turn every stone in the team and see how we can make them better. Alex has been training well and he's a player that has been in these situations before.
He helped the team some years ago to stay in the Premier League with his performances and we thought that was the correct game to bring him in and then give him the chance. That's what we did."
On Bazunu's handling of the situation, he added: Of course, he wasn't happy. But he understood the decision. He is the young goalkeeper with the most minutes in Europe as we have said and he's had a good season in the Premier League.
But I made the decision together with the rest of the technical staff using some of the facts that we just need to give it a try. Alex has been training and competing really well and he showed us a good level today.
The conversation has been clear and direct as usual with all three goalkeepers and with the direction that we took for the game."