@ivaldo @Halftrack
Lingard has frequently had games in which he was shit. In other, less colourful words, running around doing not very much. He's always had his qualities: namely movement and work rate. However, this had often been overshadowed by rank finishing, anonymous matches or, in some cases, some absolutely terrible performances that weren't up to scratch.
Of course, calling Lingard a 'Championship player' is complete nonsense. Halfwits like that are best ignored entirely - which can admittedly be difficult when they're usually polluting some other player thread.
I'm all for giving our players an easier time. I'm more positive on that front than most. But Lingard's recent form isn't going to convince here or there. Similarity, a shitty season from Herrera, or Smalling, or whoever, doesn't change much for me either. I'd just give it a bit more time before we rush around making people look foolish.