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.
Left out of the matchday squad
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
He has started to want: A loan, for games
Mind
He has started to want: His place back
Mind
He has started to want: First-team football
Mind
Lifted by a passionate half-time team talk
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. His thin rapport with the coach blunted the message.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Dressing-room inquest after a humiliating result
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Manager trust is eroding
Moderate
Cause
The discussion focused on playing time. Staff had already warned him about this in the last few weeks.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Moderate
Cause
He cannot continue in his current tactical role. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Encouraged by the manager
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support.
Outlook
Manager trust should improve if this form continues.
Praised by the manager
Major
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Praised by the manager
Major
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
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. (The move took him to a different continent.; He still does not speak the local language.)
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.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Frustrated by his tactical role
Serious
Cause
A change in shape has shifted what is being asked of him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
He has said it out loud: To learn the language
Mind
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.