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.
Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy
Moderate
Cause
The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Criticised by the manager after his performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Frustrated by his tactical role
Serious
Cause
A change in shape has shifted what is being asked of him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Promised more playing time by the manager
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on playing time.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Changed the match from the bench
Moderate
Cause
He came on with the team chasing a result and produced the moment that swung the game.
Praised by the manager after a goal contribution
Minor
Cause
His goal contribution made him stand out at full-time. His goal contribution made the difference on the day.
Outlook
Manager trust should improve if this form continues.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
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.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Manager trust is eroding
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level. Staff had already warned him about this in the last few weeks.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Serious
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.
Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy
Moderate
Cause
The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Major
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
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.
Criticised by the manager after his performance
Moderate
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.