Long-time lurker on here but this thread has eventually tipped me over the edge.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but the number of opinions that seem pre-formed or based solely on the result of the game with our players by our own fans is scary (in particular Grealish). Jack and Kev were easily our most dangerous players last night and both watching the game (without bias) and the stats back that up. Both also showed a want to try and take the game by the scruff of the neck, Jack in particular made multiple tackles near the end to keep our pressure on. If we converted one of the many clear cut chances we had last night I think the comments on here would have been very different, whether that be through more praise or silence from his "haters". Even more so if one of the clear cut chances he created was converted.
I think too many people expect the world from him due to the admittedly large price we paid. However, people expecting the new Messi or the next ballon d'or are always going to be disappointed. He has never been a player that will smash assists or goals records and that's okay. I think too many fans hold stock in goals and assists. Now I do get this, and I also think Grealish needs to offer more in this department to an extent but as others have said it’s difficult to judge this season in particular as our chance conversion has seemed to be poor. I also think stats don't always tell you how good a player is or how successful/important they are. I saw a poster earlier refer to his assists return for his premier league career of roughly an assist every 6 games. This is the same as Bernardo, are we going to say he has had a poor season or career at city? Would we not spend £100 million on another Bernardo Silva now? I get he isn't at Bernardo's level, but I do think Bernardo offers a great comparison for what Grealish could become for us. Both had slower starts to their career (as how many players have?) and took time to adjust to pep but showed glimpses of being extremely talented (both also on the wing). I think too many fans want a team of 50+ goals contributions a season players but you're never going to have that.
If you are someone who still doesn't "get it" with Grealish. Ask yourself why he has as many starts as Phil and Kev this year and in important games too. Not many other new signings for pep have managed that. Peps is hardly someone to play a player because he's scared to bench a 100 million pound man is he? He must be doing something right. Yes, He has room for improvement, and he hasn't justified the price tag yet, but he also has the best manager in the world to get him to that next level. So have faith, he's already an important cog in our well-oiled machine and he's only going to get better.
