Dan Neil

Defensive Midfielder - Sunderland
26 Sep 2028
Tuesday
Process
Overview Personal Contract News 9 Transfers Relations Events 105 Awards Matches History

Events

105

  1. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  2. Costly error under pressure

    Moderate
    Cause
    His error under pressure was directly punished by the opponent.

  3. Away supporters were hostile

    Moderate
    Cause
    He drew sustained jeers from the away end.

  4. Dressing-room inquest after a humiliating result

  5. Left out as Habib Diarra was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Habib Diarra was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    His squad status would normally start, so the omission stings.
    Outlook
    Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.

  6. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  7. Warned about his body language

    Moderate
    Cause
    The issue was less about ability and more about his reaction when things went wrong. Staff had already warned him about this in the last few weeks.
    Outlook
    Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.

  8. Reassured by a calm full-time message

    Minor
    Cause
    The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
    Outlook
    Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.

  9. Squad praised for bouncing back

  10. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  11. Stayed on the bench while Habib Diarra took the slot

    Minor
    Chosen instead
    Habib Diarra was preferred — stronger quality on balance.
    Cause
    A more highly rated alternative was available.
    Outlook
    Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.

  12. Praised by the manager

    Serious
    Cause
    The discussion covered general matters.

  13. Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy

    Moderate
    Cause
    The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  14. Away supporters were hostile

    Moderate
    Cause
    He drew sustained jeers from the away end.

  15. Reassured by a calm full-time message

    Minor
    Cause
    The moment called for a quiet show of support. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
    Outlook
    Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.

  16. Would prefer a lower-pressure club

    Moderate
    Cause
    Media or fan criticism has been relentless.

  17. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  18. Asked the manager for a private conversation

    Moderate
    Cause
    He is unhappy about his playing time. Manager trust is low. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  19. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  20. Mounting media pressure on his form

  21. Warned about his body language

    Moderate
    Cause
    The issue was less about ability and more about his reaction when things went wrong. His match rating of 5.8 weighed heavily in the talk.
    Outlook
    Manager intervention may be required if it persists.

  22. Reassured by a calm full-time message

    Minor
    Cause
    The moment called for a quiet show of support. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
    Outlook
    Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.

  23. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  24. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  25. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  26. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  27. Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy

    Moderate
    Cause
    The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  28. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  29. Asked the manager for a private conversation

    Moderate
    Cause
    His relationship with the manager has soured. Manager trust is low. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  30. Praised by the manager

    Major
    Cause
    The discussion covered general matters.

  31. Praised by the manager

    Major
    Cause
    The discussion covered general matters.

  32. Worried by competition from a new signing Franco Escobar

    Moderate
    Cause
    He was already short on minutes before the signing arrived.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  33. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  34. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  35. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  36. Worried by competition from a new signing Christoph Klarer

    Moderate
    Cause
    The signing was bought with a similar squad-status tier in mind. He was already short on minutes before the signing arrived.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  37. Worried by competition from a new signing Can Bozdogan

    Moderate
    Cause
    The signing was bought with a similar squad-status tier in mind. He was already short on minutes before the signing arrived.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  38. Hard conversation with the manager about playing time

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  39. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  40. Responded well in training to recent criticism

    Minor
    Cause
    He answered the recent criticism with a sharp session.

  41. Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy

    Moderate
    Cause
    The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  42. Praised by the manager

    Major
    Cause
    The discussion covered general matters.

  43. Asked the manager for a private conversation

    Serious
    Cause
    His relationship with the manager has soured. Manager trust is low. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  44. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  45. Hard conversation with the manager about playing time

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  46. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  47. Hard conversation with the manager about playing time

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  48. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  49. Manager broke a promise

    Serious
    Cause
    Even an honest tone was resented given the strained relationship.

  50. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  51. Rotated out for this match

    Minor
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    A low-importance fixture meant managed minutes.
    Outlook
    Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.

  52. Praised by the manager

    Major
    Cause
    The discussion covered general matters.

  53. Asked the manager for a private conversation

    Moderate
    Cause
    His relationship with the manager has soured. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  54. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  55. Mounting media pressure on his form

  56. Reassured by a calm full-time message

    Minor
    Cause
    The moment called for a quiet show of support. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
    Outlook
    Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.

  57. Returned to full training after injury

    Minor
    Cause
    The medical team cleared him, but the staff are protecting him from a rushed comeback.

  58. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  59. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  60. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  61. Worried by competition from a new signing Georgi Kostadinov

    Moderate
    Cause
    He was already short on minutes before the signing arrived.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  62. Asked the manager for a private conversation

    Serious
    Cause
    He is unhappy about his playing time. Manager trust is low. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  63. Squad status changed

  64. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  65. Hard conversation with the manager about playing time

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  66. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  67. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.

  68. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  69. Difficult conversation with the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion covered general matters.

  70. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  71. Worried by competition from a new signing Zane Albarus

    Moderate
    Cause
    The signing was bought with a similar squad-status tier in mind. A much younger rival has arrived in his position.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  72. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.

  73. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  74. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.

  75. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  76. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.

  77. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  78. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.

  79. Praised by the manager

    Major
    Cause
    The discussion covered general matters.

  80. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.

  81. Asked the manager for a private conversation

    Serious
    Cause
    His relationship with the manager has soured. Manager trust is low. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  82. Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy

    Moderate
    Cause
    The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  83. Left out as Habib Diarra was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Habib Diarra was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.

  84. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  85. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.

  86. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  87. Manager trust is eroding

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on his recent performance level. Staff had already warned him about this in the last few weeks.
    Outlook
    Manager intervention may be required if it persists.

  88. Costly error under pressure

    Moderate
    Cause
    His error under pressure was directly punished by the opponent.

  89. Away supporters were hostile

    Moderate
    Cause
    He drew sustained jeers from the away end.

  90. Criticised in a full-time post-mortem

    Minor
    Cause
    It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
    Outlook
    Manager intervention may be required if it persists.

  91. Hard conversation with the manager about playing time

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  92. Hard conversation with the manager about playing time

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  93. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.

  94. Promised more playing time by the manager

    Moderate
    Cause
    The discussion focused on playing time.

  95. Clashed with Dan Ballard over training standards

    Minor
    Cause
    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.

  96. Left out as Granit Xhaka was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Granit Xhaka was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.

  97. Left out as Habib Diarra was preferred

    Moderate
    Chosen instead
    Habib Diarra was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
    Cause
    He is left out while unsettled over his future at the club.
    Outlook
    Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.

  98. Reassured by a calm full-time message

    Minor
    Cause
    The moment called for a quiet show of support. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
    Outlook
    Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.

  99. Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy

    Minor
    Cause
    The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
    Outlook
    Contract request risk increased.

  100. Mounting media pressure on his form

  101. Contract extension signed

    Decision
    Movement
    4y · $3.0M/y

  102. Contract renewal offered

    Decision
    Movement
    4y · $3.0M/y

  103. Returned from loan

    Decision
    Movement
    Ipswich Town → Sunderland

  104. Contract extension signed

    Decision
    Movement
    4y · $2.2M/y

  105. Contract renewal offered

    Decision
    Movement
    4y · $2.2M/y