Doesn't matter his actual time. The only thing that matters is the "shape he is in."
Most wasted way lead a career, imo. Chasing a time that you somehow feel you have the right to run (while never being close). There is a Norwegian running podcast host who have wasted 3-4 years(?) of 2x marathons a year doing that, adamant chasing sub 2:20 instead of just racing to get the best time he is capable of that day (which could eventually be 2:19:xx).
What pace group was he running with? 2:06 or 2:08?