He certainly deserves some leeway following such an awful injury. Some players never return the same after an injury like that and I hope and prey that Faurlin isn't one of them. I have been one of his biggest cheerleaders, having many a heated debate with Brix in the process. The jury is out, but it's fair to say that Brix may have been onto something.
Faurlin's lack of pace has always been a problem, but he seems a yard slower still since his return. This is probably down to match fitness as he hasn't been playing too regularly.
Either way, as said above, he deserves our backing and patience, unlike the likes of Bosingwa.