I think hes just really average, people expect more from him than they should.
His job is to get the ball and give it to the more creative players, hes also very laid back so he comes across as lazy and disinterested.
Hes nowhere near the player we need and hes not even close to good enough, but he gets a bad press from most fans on here, but he certainly doesnt help himself with his stupid red cards and his part in their goal today.
But hes our 5th choice CM, when everybody is fit, so not many teams are gonna have a top quality 5th choice CM.