Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic has revealed Cristian Caicedo was given a stern talking to after the Colombian stormed off during last week's 2-2 draw with Adelaide.
Caicedo was brought on in the 59th minute and was left shocked when he saw his number pop up to be subbed off in the 91st minute.
Instead of making his way to the bench to watch the rest of the game with his teammates and coaches, the 22-year-old stormed down the tunnel.
It remains to be seen whether Caicedo's actions will cost him a spot in Perth's squad for Sunday's clash with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
"We've discussed it internally and that will stay internal," Zdrilic said on Thursday.
"What happens on the weekend - we'll see.
"I understand the frustration (but) I don't think any player can react in that way, and that's (been made) very clear to him.
"Whether you understood the reasoning or not (for getting subbed), we're there to get a result - whether it to be to hold on for the draw or go for the win."
Zdrilic said he subbed Caicedo because he felt the Colombian was struggling to hold his own defensively.
"He came on and did well when we had the ball, but defensively he wasn't able to keep up with the pace of the game," Zdrilic said.
"It was as simple as that.
"It was in the last few minutes of the game anyway. I just thought he was gassed from going forward.
"He set up chances, set up goals. In the end, the defensive part was the most important (aspect) we were looking at in those final moments."
Glory sit second last on the table after tallying just two points from their opening six games.
Perth have scored only four goals across that stretch and conceded a whopping 18.
The results have marked a nightmare beginning to Zdrilic's senior coaching career and he revealed there would be mass changes to the squad in the not-too-distant future, starting with January's transfer window.
Former Glory defender Tomi Mrcela is rumoured to be on the verge of returning to the club.
"We clearly know we need to strengthen, we know what we need to strengthen, and we're going to start working on it," Zdrilic said.
"The playing roster is going to be very different as we start getting the opportunity to change things, and that's going to happen very quickly."
The future of Mustafa Amini remains up in the air with the former skipper still yet to play a game following off-season surgery.
"He's been injured pretty much the whole time I've been here. I can't even count how many days he's trained," Zdrilic said.
