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.
Frustrated after the club rejected interest from Junior
Minor
Cause
Stage: the bid was rejected. It became public after the bid was rejected. The move would be a clear step up. A bid has already been rejected. He is flattered by the attention. It would be a clear sporting upgrade.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Named Player of the Match
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. The move would be a clear step up. The interested club is meaningfully bigger. He is flattered by the attention. It would be a clear sporting upgrade.
Reassured by the manager's half-time message
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.
Criticised in a full-time post-mortem
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.