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But also some big positives as well and I don’t think that should be forgotten.

“The players we’ve signed I think are very, very good players and I think they will add a lot to the squad…

“Of course there’s one big challenging situation that’s not resolved.



It will do that in every situation.

“I think it is a lose/lose situation to a degree for us because I don’t think we can come out of this winning in any situation.

And that’s why I’ve said all summer it’s a difficult situation for the club to manage.

“We love Alex in the sense of what he’s done for the football club since he’s been here, what he’s contributed, what he’s given, how professional he’s been.

“This has just been an unfortunate few months.

A player might not be in a great place one day, and a few days later they are there and ready to play.

“That is the beauty of human beings, we can all change our emotions and feelings quite quickly.”

Has Isak been badly advised?

“I don’t think that’s for me to comment on and give an opinion on.

But there will come a time when we can have conversations with him and just focus back on the football.”

Has the club’s message on Isak’s future been strong behind the scenes?

“The club have had a very strong stance regarding Alex’s situation all summer.

“Obviously there has been a lot of communication between the football club and Alex and his representatives that I have not been a part of.

“But for me, nothing has changed throughout the summer.”

Are you saddened by how this has played out?

“Of course (I’m saddened by how it has played out) because I don’t think it had to be this way.

“It’s disappointing that I’m having to discuss it every press conference at length, and taking away from the football.

“We’ve got Liverpool coming up and that’s going to be a tougher game without having any distraction around us.

“Any other focus, which I think the players have done really well to blank it all out and focus on the football.

“I think it’s been a real credit to the group that they have been able to do that.

That’s our wish, that he’s with us.

“But obviously he’s not so it’s not the desirable outcome for us at the moment until he’s back playing.

“I say that because he’s our player, he’s contracted to us.