Several weeks ago, pre injuries to hendo and lallana, when he was on the bench, people thought he wasn't good enough for a starting berth. In fact I suspect 70% of people thought that, me included. But since the injuries he's come in, got match fit and is now the closest we have to a midfield captain/hard man. Physically powerful, good in the air, gets around when fit and has an occasional (to be improved) shot on him