I think the last time I really saw us struggling and Dave took the bull by the horns and said "this is my game and I'm going to win it single-handedly" was the Liverpool/Hillsborough match. Yes we lost in the end, but it was him pulling us back from 2-0 that at least gave us a chance. He may have done it since I just can't recall them.
Now for someone of his quality, that should be happening 7/8 games out of 10 when we're down in the dumps. That's why he's not one of the world greats imo, he was often, and can still be, fabulous to watch but it often feels like the icing to a cake someone else has built during the game.
When he did what he did at Blackpool that's the player I thought we would get. Beautiful to watch and when we needed it, he'd step up and win us game after game single-handedly if needed because he was so much better than the rest. It hasn't gone that way and while he has been fantastic for City, there's always been something missing to his game.
Add the fact that nothing really rhymes with Silva and that's where the issue lies. He will a club legend for eternity, but for me Kun & Yaya for on-field contribution will always sit just ahead. I'm with PB on this one by and large.