Slot emphasized that he has always had the backing of the club, not just during difficult times, but also when things have gone well. He believes in his squad's quality, citing that he has always managed with a relatively small group of players. However, he acknowledged that keeping them fit is a challenge, especially when dealing with injuries.

Slot used the example of Alexander Isak to illustrate his point. He explained that not all players were ready to play three games in a short period, and when four key players were injured, it became a struggle to field a competitive team. He used this as a reason for his team selection on Wednesday, not as an excuse for their losses.

Slot also mentioned that players like Ibou Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Joe Gomez have had to play a lot, while others, like Alexis Mac Allister, missed the entire pre-season.