Nemeth and Pacheco look much better playing behind a striker, coming in behind (ala Gerrard). Think Pacheco needs to slow down and look around a bit more but that will come with experience.
Little Jay WILL be a very good player and I think he'll get a few games this year (probably carling cup etc). He will one day be playing for England I'm sure. Infact most of the youngsters have looked much improved from last season, the future really is bright.
Wittsy
I don't get to see the friendlies this year what with Setanta going belly up and I'm not an e-season ticket holder. Pacheco, Nemeth, Darby and Spearing all went on the pre season tour last year and more or less didn't figure again for the rest of the season. I know its a step up in class even though its a friendly but for me pre season tours are about getting those players that will play in the forthcoming season fit.
i can't find the post but i think it was Tes that said Pacheco is a couple of years and a few fish suppers away from being ready.
I think Darby is ready now, at least as competition, if not a first team regular whereas Spearing will find it hard to break into that midfield.
Nemeth, well, I've always like Nemeth. Sometimes to greedy but hey he's a striker. Personally i would like to see these guys play in the League Cup just like Arsenal did. But let them play if they are fit and don't swap in the big guns if we progress. Its the only way to be sure if they are ready or not.
Reserve football, as has been discussed before, is not the breeding ground for 1st team hopefuls anymore. Lets bleed these kids in the league cup. Let's ask the big questions of them and see if they have the answers