It has taken longer then I expected but the gossip merchants have started linking us to p;layers in the current U21 tournament. The first is Royston Drenthe who has been Holland's outstanding performer in the tournament and is a left back that can also play on the elft wing. Hardly positions we are short in!

Anyway that is all typical tittle tattle. I haven't seen too much of the tournament other than the England and Holland games, has anyone impressed from the other teams? I have to say that in the England team the two players that impressed me were Young and Reo Coker.

They are talking about him (Royston Drenthe) on the Arsenal forums as well. Sounds like a very decent young player.

I thought Reo-Coker has looked like a total liability, he gives away free-kicks just outside the box constantly, his first touch is appaling, he has no positional sense and he doesn't ever seem to support going forward.

Other than that I agree with your post entirely Loz!

I would agree that Reo Coker has been a bit 'clumsy' in terms of giving away free kicks but I wouldn't agree about his positional sense or lack of support. From what I have seen he has been playing in a more withdrawn role (I hesitate to say the Makelele role) and he has held his position well.

It has taken longer then I expected but the gossip merchants have started linking us to p;layers in the current U21 tournament. The first is Royston Drenthe who has been Holland's outstanding performer in the tournament and is a left back that can also play on the elft wing. Hardly positions we are short in!

Anyway that is all typical tittle tattle. I haven't seen too much of the tournament other than the England and Holland games, has anyone impressed from the other teams? I have to say that in the England team the two players that impressed me were Young and Reo Coker.

I have watched a couple of matches (or parts of them).

Several future stars on the making.

Of the top of my head:

(FM never lies )

Aquilani, Montolivo, Rossi and Pazzini for Italy (the first too make for a brilliant midfield)

Drenthe, Maduro and Babel for Holland (Drenthe is a very quick small technically gifted smaller version od Davids)

Mirallas, Van den Borre and Blondel for Belgium

Onuhoa, Nugent and Lita for England

Manuel da Costa, Veloso and Manuel Fernandes for Portugal (we were once linked with the first)

Hubnik for Czech Republic

I haven't watched enough of Serbia and Czech Rep.

From what I've seen Israel was pants and Ben Sahar did 0 VS Portugal.

Out of all those...these got my particular atention:

Aquilani (an excelent creative box to box. Class)

Veloso (an ex-central defender converted to Sweeper/Anchor. Brilliant left foot and passing ability. Class)

Drenthe is somewhat a surprise to most people and scouts, and while he's an exciting little player, I have my reservations.

BTW, there's a playoff for the Olympics today at 19.45 (Thursday 21). Portugal VS Italy. If you can get 1 1/2 hours of rest between changing a diaper and trying to show your kid how to become a top footballer from an early age, watch it.

Apparently we 'own' the Croatian lad who was down for our second goal against them.

Two other players who caught the eye. Nani (soon of Man Ure) who was PANTS, and carson the England keeper who was very impressive. Oh and Steven Taylor looks more and more like a young JT every day.