That's where we fundamentally disagree. You (and Ole) wrongly believe that all there is to counter-attacking is to be able to run fast. Dan James can do that. But if running fast without the ball is the only ability required to score goals from counter-attacks, then why isn't he banging them in or providing tons of assists? He's not making intelligent runs, he's poor with his use of the ball, he can't dribble past a player once the ball's at his feet and he's not picking out intelligent passes.
Honestly, in a team otherwise set up to counter-attack with one spot to fill, I'd rather have Mata than James. Not to get on the end of the pass but to spot, pick out and accurately play a good pass to a quick player, like Matic did for Greenwood for Bruno's goal against Brighton. We had Greenwood and Cavani on the bench who could've done one half each if not fit to play a full game, van de Beek's an intelligent runner, as is Bruno. There was enough talent in the squad to counter-attack without James, so why he's still getting games is beyond me as he hasn't shown any inclination to be stepping up to this level. Well, to be honest, it's not beyond me. It's due to Ole's insistence on a 4-2-3-1 and forcing poor players in the team because they play a particular position that needs filling.
If anything, James's best period for the club was in his first month and then he's regressed under the current management, like so many other players.
As for the rest of the post, you've basically described his good characteristics as "he's Jesse Lingard", and that's not really a reason as to why he should be getting in the team, is it?
