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.
Established as a regular starter
Serious
Cause
Several solid weeks have made him an undisputed pick.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support.
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. A repeated team-talk tone had less impact than usual.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Criticised for losing tactical discipline
Moderate
Cause
He drifted from the tactical instruction the manager had drilled in pre-match. His match rating of 6.1 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.
Criticised in a full-time post-mortem
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Frustrated after the club rejected interest from Sumgayit
Moderate
Cause
Stage: the bid was rejected. It became public after the bid was rejected. It would be a lateral move. A bid has already been rejected. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. A repeated team-talk tone had less impact than usual.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. It would be a lateral move. His ambition is outgrowing the current project. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Expectations may build after a stand-out moment.
Made his senior debut for the club
Scored his first goal for the club
Major
Cause
A milestone moment that he will remember for some time.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.