What is he capable of?? Just like what Tony says below the lad has surpassed our expectations and all of a sudden some are wondering why is not scoring or assisting in every second game.
Playing well? Being impactful on the game? Not playing within himself? He doesn't have to score or assist in every game, but he does need to do more than he has in the last eight matches
Surpassed whose expectations? Perhaps yours, perhaps Tony's, but he's not exceeded my expectations because I didn't see him as a bum or an average player just because he played for Stoke. I've seen him enough prior to his signing for us to know what he's capable of. He can play better than what he has in recent weeks, he's already shown it at the club and he's certainly showed at Stoke.
I didn't expect him to start week in and week out because I don't think he needs to be starting week in and week out, I did expect him to contribute and he has massively. However that doesn't mean he gets a free pass when he isn't playing well. He's under performing, nothing less nothing more, nobody was having a go at him or blaming him for the result against Leicester.
I'm objective, regardless of performances. I've praised him when he's done well, as I have with other players.
Like every other new player it should take time for him to bed in or he will have a period where his performances may suffer. I dont know what to take from your comments as I must be misreading them but when we lose or have a bad game, certain player topics suddenly appear at the top of the forum. It always seems to be the flair player, the passenger we cant afford out there and honestly its these players we need the most when the banks of defenders turn up. Shaqiri has done his bit while others could be doing a lot more as they are the ones who are on the team sheet every week.
I can only speak for myself, I can't speak for others nor do I want to, so that's not my concern. This is a thread specifically about him. When he plays well, I post and praise him. When he doesn't, I voice my opinion objectively. I do that with ever other player regardless of result.
Being a scapegoat for a result is far different than saying he's under performing. That's why I said I am not blaming him for a result or the team performance. Right now he needs to step it up. His price tag is irrelevant to me, because he has the quality. The price tag is due to the clause in his contract, that doesn't mean playing below his ability is acceptable.
Again i am not having a go at him. Just stating what I'm seeing. he can do more. And he needs to.
