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.
Wants to head back home
Serious
Cause
After a long, difficult settling period he is openly hoping for a move home or to a familiar club. (He still does not speak the local language.; His adaptability is low.)
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Still struggling to settle into the squad
Moderate
Cause
He has not yet made the connections that come naturally to most signings.
Wants a final homecoming season
Serious
Cause
He is in the late-career window.; A move home or to a favoured club has been linked.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Made his senior debut for the club
Criticised for losing tactical discipline
Moderate
Cause
He drifted from the tactical instruction the manager had drilled in pre-match. His match rating of 5.8 weighed heavily in the talk.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Away supporters were hostile
Moderate
Cause
He drew sustained jeers from the away end.
Criticised in a full-time post-mortem
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.