Express & Star

Wolves boss Bruno Lage: Time for talking is over

Wolves boss Bruno Lage admits he is pleased the transfer window is closed so that forward Hwang Hee-chan can concentrate on his football.

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The South Korean was drawing interest from a number of clubs towards the end of the window, as Leeds had an offer rebuffed by Wolves.

Hwang had a nightmare week when he missed a penalty against Preston in the Carabao Cup before his mistake handed Newcastle a late equaliser in their Premier League clash, and Lage believes that the speculation affected the 26-year-old.

"I am still happy with him and I don't change a word about the player and professional he is," Lage said.

"Those things (mistakes) sometimes happen because there's too much talk around the player.

"This is not good for the player, when there is a lot of talk about him. Now I know that some people made a lot of pressure for him to go.

"I don't know if any proposal came, what I know is that he was here and I don't change a word of what I say about him. I like him and know what he can do when he's in a good moment. I don't have any doubts.

"He didn't start pre-season with the team because of his military service. He wanted to be ready but after one week got injured.

"He had two or three weeks to recover and started against Leeds, and did well.

"In the last two months there's been too much talk around the player and now I understand why the player was in that circumstance. Why he wanted to score a goal, just to score a goal.

"That's why I'm so happy the transfer window is finished. I've already spoken to the players and now I want them focused on what they have to do. There's no more talk.

"Every chance he gets is the time to prove the top player he is.

"Football is about making mistakes and it's important how we come from one mistake and come again

"That's what I want from my team. Understand what we need to improve and in two or three days we need to go again.

"It's not just about football, it's about life. We cannot cry and look back at what happened."