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.
Repeated transfer talk is becoming a distraction
Minor
Cause
Stage: loose rumour. The national press has carried the story. The link is speculative for now. The same rumour keeps coming back. The talk has begun to distract him.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. It would be a lateral move. He is the kind of player whose camp likes the noise. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Expectations may build after a stand-out moment.
Established as a regular starter
Moderate
Cause
Several solid weeks have made him an undisputed pick.
Scored his first goal for the club
Major
Cause
A milestone moment that he will remember for some time.
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.
Heard a passionate full-time response
Minor
Cause
A big match called for a big message.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Frustrated after the club rejected interest from Metallurg
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.
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.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. It would be a lateral move. He is the kind of player whose camp likes the noise. The talk has begun to distract him.