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.
Named Player of the Match
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. A repeated team-talk tone had less impact than usual.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Named Player of the Match
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.
An off-day in training
Minor
Cause
Nothing unusual — just a quieter day at the training ground.
Heard a passionate full-time response
Minor
Cause
A big match called for a big message. The message was about confidence as much as performance — his morale had been low.
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.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.