(Jesus Navas was unproductive from the wing against West Ham United on Saturday - image via Getty Images)
And that's about it, really.
Of course, we're talking about Jesus Navas - the most infuriating Manchester City player to watch after the great Edin Džeko who, in all honesty, Manuel Pellegrini would have liked to have had available on Saturday evening.
Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League campaign was brought to an abrupt end in a 2-1 loss to a West Ham side who have enjoyed their travels this season. Hammers' supporters were ready to accept defeat before kick off - one fan account reacted to City's £300m-plus line-up with an acquiescent "F*ck" - even after enjoying away wins against Arsenal and Liverpool already this term.
One would have assumed City's form could even afford them a late injury to David Silva in the warm up. He was replaced by Navas. But even in this City side, furnished with extraordinary talent in every position, exchanging the abilities of David Silva for Jesus Navas is like exchanging the sun for an LED bulb.
(David Silva picked up an injury in the warm up - image via Getty Images)
One supporter brilliantly described Navas as "the human equivalent of premature ejaculation" as tempers flared after the full time whistle. A scene plays out involving a quick one-two that evades the full-back, a burst of speed takes the Spaniard to the by-line. Three hungry forwards await the arrival of the ball in the 18-yard-box. Fans spring to their feet, their backs tilting at a 45-degree angle, their eyes wide awaiting the beautiful climax to the perfect move. And they wait some more, and some more, and some more.
The footballing equivalent of testicular vasocongestion, or blue balls, would be a better description. There exists an interminable list of inappropriate metaphors that humorously, but accurately, describe Navas's wing play - the postman that delivers no letters is another - but every single one of them alludes to his poor end product. I don't take any pride in mocking a player that plays for the team I support, but the frustration has reached astronomical levels.
What's so frustrating about Navas is he's actually quite a useful outlet. On the counter attack his speed is profitable and he puts a shift in defensively, too. But as a winger, you're expected to be able to put a cross in that doesn't meet the feet of your opponent nine times out of ten. As City pushed for an equaliser in a 60-minute onslaught on Saturday, Navas found a fellow Blue with just two of his attempted 20 crosses. In the six league games he has played this term, Navas has completed just six successful crosses out of an attempted 48. That is appalling and, quite frankly, something Manuel Pellegrini shouldn't have to put up with for much longer.
(A damning view of Navas's unsuccessful crosses against West Ham - image via @Squawka)
In a side that like to spread the ball to the flank, Navas has a huge responsibility to provide for his team, but the £55m capture of Kevin De Bruyne suggests that Pellegrini is finally acknowledging the Spaniard's failure to carry out his duties. The genius of David Silva, who has four assists to his name this season, has masked Navas's impotence who, surprisingly, acts as the side's second-in-command when it comes to creating chances. But when Silva is unavailable, City simply can't rely on the 29-year-old to be the supply man.
Sergio Agüero, Aleksandar Kolarov and Raheem Sterling also struggled in City's first loss of the season, but all three have shown consistent signs of brilliance in their Premier League careers. Agüero is unarguably the league's best striker when in form, Kolarov is the club's most accomplished left back and Sterling adds vivacity and youth to the side - but with Navas, it often feels like we're clutching at straws when looking for positives.
With Kevin De Bruyne, who impressed with a goal on his full debut on Saturday, Raheem Sterling, Samir Nasri and 18-year-old Patrick Roberts vying for places on City's flank this season, patience with Jesus Navas's lack of productivity will surely run out soon.
