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
Major
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Settling well into the dressing room
Minor
Cause
A strong training-ground partnership is behind this. The bond between them was already strong, so the morale hit should be limited.
Outlook
Settling-in period is still under way.
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.
Made his senior debut for the club
Costly error under pressure
Moderate
Cause
His error under pressure was directly punished by the opponent.
Away supporters were hostile
Minor
Cause
He drew sustained jeers from the away end.
Lifted by a passionate half-time team talk
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.