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.
Breakthrough into the senior squad
Criticised over his pressing work
Moderate
Cause
The criticism focused on missed pressing triggers and slow recovery runs. His match rating of 6.2 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.
Reassured by the manager's half-time message
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. He handles pressure well, which helped the moment land.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Criticised in a full-time post-mortem
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. He handles pressure well, which helped the moment land.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. He handles pressure well, which helped the moment land.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
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.