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.
Criticised by the manager after his performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Serious
Cause
He has unresolved concerns over his contract. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Turned down the offered deal
Serious
Cause
He turned down the club's offer. The deal lacked the release clause he wanted.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Selected for the Team of the Week member
Contract talks stalled over squad status
Serious
Cause
The wage was acceptable, but he wanted clearer first-team guarantees.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Criticised over his pressing work
Moderate
Cause
The criticism focused on missed pressing triggers and slow recovery runs. Staff had already warned him about this in the last few weeks.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Away supporters were hostile
Moderate
Cause
He drew sustained jeers from the away end.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Praised in a satisfied full-time talk
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.