RALPH Hasenhuttl revealed that both Che Adams and Oriol Romeu came knocking on his door wanting to know whether they could represent the Under-23s.
The duo last week both featured for the youngsters, with Romeu setting Adams up for his goal.
Both players have struggled for Premier League minutes which meant Hasenhuttl was happy for them to gain match fitness, although he admitted he’d never have asked them to turn out for the U23s.
Saints’ boss said: “This was not my decision.
“It’s a very good signal to me if they are coming to me and saying, ‘I want to play’ because when I ask them to do that, there is something of a no.
“I was very happy for him that he scores because it's very important that a striker can score. He didn't for a long time and so it was very good to take the decision and to play this game.
“In the future, it will be the same: when they want to play and when it fits the schedule.
“It was more important for them to have these 90 minutes. In the future we can make a schedule where we have a better balance of U23 games and our games, so we can use these games more often for the players that don't play enough.”
Although Hasenhuttl was delighted with Adams’ attitude, the Austrian reserved his biggest compliment for Romeu.
The midfielder has been at the club since 2015 and has played over 125 for the St Mary’s side.
He’s found it difficult to force his way back into Hasenhuttl’s starting XI because of the partnership formed between James Ward-Prowse and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
“It is fantastic from my side that Ori comes to me and says, ‘Coach I didn't play so much in the last time I need a game’ - it's fantastic”, reflected Hasenhuttl.
“It shows what an unbelievable professional he is. To be honest I've never seen anyone like him - professional wise. It’s fantastic.”
Although Romeu will be frustrated that he isn’t featuring in the Saints line-up, Hasenhuttl said the former Barcelona man still has a huge influence behind the scenes.
“Especially with him it’s always a pleasure for me and always easy because he’s a character that knows how important he is even if not playing.
“When I see him pushing the team and he is coming from warming up and is not part of the first XI and push everybody and jumping up if we score or something - it's unbelievable for me.
“As I said one of the best professionals I've ever worked with as long as I'm a manager.
“This is very, very positive for me. It's not always possible for me to explain to everybody why he doesn't play.
“It's impossible for me because I must use half of the time to explain to everybody. I only have 20 players [in a matchday squad] and 10 are not playing.”
Academy lad Will Smallbone has recently usurped Romeu in Hasenhuttl’s thoughts.
And it’s decisions like that which prompts the Saints manager to take more time explaining to Romeu why he isn’t featuring.
“Especially with him, I should do it more because it's kind of respect to him because he gets to know why I look to Will Smallbone because he may be the future for the club and I want to know how far he is in his development.
“It's not easy then for him but it never shows. He never moans or anything like that."
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