Their personalities have rubbed against each other for a while now. It played out behind the dressing-room door, away from the cameras.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Minor
Cause
He has unresolved concerns over his contract. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.