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.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Minor
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.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Difficult conversation with the manager
Moderate
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Praised by the manager
Major
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Criticised for losing tactical discipline
Moderate
Cause
He drifted from the tactical instruction the manager had drilled in pre-match. Staff had already warned him about this in the last few weeks.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
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 does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Dressing-room inquest after a humiliating result
Lifted by a passionate half-time team talk
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.