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.
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.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Serious
Cause
He cannot continue in his current tactical role. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Worried by a sustained scoring drought
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.
Criticised in a full-time post-mortem
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Promised more playing time by the manager
Major
Cause
The discussion focused on playing time.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.