I always thought the lazy jibes were largely unfounded and just an easy option for the fan to say.
Lots of people say he had the talent but was lazy, I disagree.
I don't think he had as much as talent or quality as people think. He could show flashes to excite the crowd, but that isn't because he was extremely talented, that is down to because he was willing to try the risky option and every now and then it came off
His ball control was very eratic, his close control was poor often knocking the ball further than intended. His finishing was poor, often snatching at chances. His technique was rubbish, often ballooning chances and his left foot was non existent. He wasn't an aerial threat for a man his size and his passing was sloppy as well.
None of that was really down to his work rate or being lazy, it was just a lack of quality.
Just because once every three matches one of his tricks or fancy flicks were successful that doesn't mean he had the quality. What Nouble had was a bit of flair and confidence and people confuse that with quality.