Bolton Wanderers boss Sammy Lee has dropped a bombshell, accusing "one or two" of his players of trying to undermine him in the opening weeks of the season.
"But someone of Nicolas's quality has reiterated his commitment to this club, and hopefully it will squash the odd malicious rumour that may come out when certain players are not picked.
"It's important everyone realises, out of respect for fellow professionals, that anything to be said should be kept in-house.
"I understand that players are not happy when they're not playing but when these malicious rumours come out it's distressing for everyone and particularly for me.
"I've been a player and I know how important it is to have a happy dressing room. I also know how these things get out. I know how, when certain players aren't happy, they tend to talk.
"I've never lost any sleep over it. I'm more concerned with the ones who are committed rather than the one or two who are trying to put the football club down.
"It's sometimes easy to drag the club down when you've had three defeats in a week and a new manager or inexperienced one. It's easy to criticise but it's all about the team and the club, not me."