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.
Repeated transfer talk is becoming a distraction
Minor
Cause
Stage: loose rumour. The national press has carried the story. The link is speculative for now. The same rumour keeps coming back. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Expectations may build after a stand-out moment.
Has agreed personal terms with Posta Rangers — only the medical to go
Serious
Cause
Stage: personal terms agreed. Briefings from the interested club leaked. It would be a lateral move. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Expectations may build after a stand-out moment.
His move to Posta Rangers has collapsed at the last moment
Major
Cause
Stage: the move collapsed. Briefings from the interested club leaked. It would be a lateral move. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The bench was built around different match options.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. It would be a lateral move. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Expectations may build after a stand-out moment.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Stage: negotiations are opening. Briefings from the interested club leaked. It would be a lateral move. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Expectations may build after a stand-out moment.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Minor
Cause
He is unhappy about his playing time. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The bench was built around different match options.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The bench was built around different match options.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Told he is not in the manager's plans
Stayed on the bench all match
Minor
Cause
The bench was built around different match options.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.