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.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Criticised for losing tactical discipline
Moderate
Cause
He drifted from the tactical instruction the manager had drilled in pre-match. His match rating of 6.1 weighed heavily in the talk.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Moderate
Cause
His relationship with the manager has soured. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.