Their personalities have rubbed against each other for a while now. It played out behind the dressing-room door, away from the cameras.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Left out of the matchday squad
Serious
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
He has started to want: His place back
Mind
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Moderate
Cause
He cannot continue in his current tactical role. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Responded to a passionate pre-match team talk
Minor
Cause
A big match called for a big message. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Lifted by a passionate half-time team talk
Minor
Cause
A big match called for a big message. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Heard a passionate full-time response
Minor
Cause
A big match called for a big message. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Dressing-room inquest after a humiliating result
Difficult conversation with the manager
Moderate
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Praised by the manager
Major
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
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.
Difficult conversation with the manager
Moderate
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Manager kept a promise
Moderate
Cause
The discussion was a follow-up on a previous promise.
He got what he wanted: His place back
Mind
Returned to full training after injury
Minor
Cause
The medical team cleared him, but the staff are protecting him from a rushed comeback.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Frustrated by his tactical role
Serious
Cause
A change in shape has shifted what is being asked of him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.