You prove my point. In actual fact, Foden's last appearance was relatively poor, and I speak as someone who is a fan and desperately wants him to succeed. He gave the ball away on several occasions, trying to make a killer pass when it wasn't on. Part of the reason for our success is our patience; retaining possession over and over, recirculating until we create a decisive opening and then springing the attack. Because people are desperate for Phil to be a success, they use his lack of opportunity as a stick to beat Gundogan with. Similarly, in the Watford game, Gundogan created a simple passing oppportunity for Delph who chose a different option and lost the ball. Delph is a very good player and a team asset, but he made a mistake that led to the Watford goal and yet he is not being called out for it because he is not in a prospect's way; he, in reality, is cover.
To be clear, I am not suggesting that Gundogan is an absolute world class star, at the top of the tree within our squad. I am saying that he is a valuable player who contributes to a good level. Those players are just as needed in a world class outfit as the stellar world stars.
Yes, you’ve taken Phil’s worst cameo, his last one and I agree completely, he tried to do too much but this was the exception not the norm. Please looks at all his other cameos. I am not one of those posters desperate for Phil to play and succeed because I know it will come just a question of when. Therefore I look at both players performances objectively and Gundogan simply doesn’t offer enough.
But you haven’t answered any of my questions. Do you recall Gundogan playing any through balls recently or at all? Do you think he deserves a wage increase and extension?