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.
Left out of the matchday squad
Serious
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Costly error under pressure
Moderate
Cause
His error under pressure was directly punished by the opponent.
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. The message was about confidence as much as performance — his morale had been low.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. The message was about confidence as much as performance — his morale had been low.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. The message was about confidence as much as performance — his morale had been low.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Major
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
The disagreement started because they judged training effort very differently. It played out on the training ground in front of the rest of the squad.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Left out of the matchday squad
Serious
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Left out of the matchday squad
Major
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. The message was about confidence as much as performance — his morale had been low.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.