Fifth Edition

[Scott]

Welcome to the 5th edition of Republik of Mancunia: The Paper. My my, doesn’t time fly! As always, our community has continued to grow this month, and I thank all the regulars and newbies for helping this place move forward.

Following a more disappointing month on the field, we’ve ended the month well with an away victory at Benfica, which is enough to boost our spirits for the time being. Let’s just hope we can keep on track against Newcastle at home, and sing a song or two for Rossi

Some kindof related news. I’ve started writing for Football Expo, so you can check out my articles there. It’s a more general football site, so you won’t find my usual bias, but still manage to make digs at our opposition whenever I can Feel free to go over there and leave comments if the mood takes you.

Another quick reminder of the forum merchandise. You can find cheap t-shirts and hoodies designed by the forum by clicking the button at the top of the page.

If you feel like you have something to offer The Paper, whether it be Match/Player of the month reviews, an article, or anything else you feel could be of interest to our forum, don’t hesitate to give me a shout. Remember, when a member has contributed four times to The Paper they will be classed as an Official Contributor, with their own member group and button in the sig to prove it ;D So get in touch.

Now let us begin:

Member of the Month

It doesn’t get any easier picking the forum’s Member of the Month, with so many active and thoughtful posters. It was a tough decision in the Staff Room, and we narrowed the candidates down to two.

In the end it was decided that this month’s winner is Redom. Since joining in June, he has been a very active and informative poster. He seems to have won over the masses too, if his high rep is anything to go by, so congratulations Dom.

Interview

Time for the member interview. Nathan, my good friend, aka Sahahaha, has kindly invited us in to his world for a few minutes. So read on…

Real name: Dave (Editor: Lies)

Where are you from: Poole, Dorset

Who is your biggest inspiration: Papa Lazarou. No, my mum!

What would you like to be better at: Football, and speling.

If you could ask anyone, living or dead, a question, who and what would it be? Jesus, I'd ask him if he could really turn water into wine, if so could he do ales and spirits?

What is your all time favourite film? Roadhouse, also my favourite quote "I used to fuck guys like you prison" Not really that films awful, I'd go for Office space, because I hate work!

If you won the lottery, how would you spend it? I'd buy seriously expensive executive seat at Old Trafford for a start. Er, travel, weed, alcohol and a huge suit made out of money.

One job in the world, what would it be? Some sort of King of the universe role. The FA’s Chief Executive, lol no more Chelsea.

What’s your biggest ambition in life? Dunno.

What’s your greatest ever achievement? I haven't really I don't like this interview.

What’s your biggest regret? Probably never achieving anything now

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Well' the way it's going probably being an underachiever!

Who do you hate most: City/Liverpool/Leeds/Arsenal/Other Chelsea

Ideal, realistic signing you think Fergie should have made this summer, but didnt? Hargreaves. If we were after him before the World Cup why not bid for him? Better to wait for his price to go up first

Whats the best game you've ever been too? Ohh, best game was winning the league at Palace. But watching Utd play Ajax was awesome, spliffs being passed around, great atmosphere and an Ajax fan got his hand stuck in the tube on the way back

Who's your favourite member on the forum? me. Loads, Red Yank, McCilroy, Redom, Nedkelly. And the mods obviously.

What do you think you add to the forum? A laugh, and some football chat!

Your namesake is Louis Saha, how do you think he's getting on this season? Ah good question, he's been really good so far. 2 goals in the league 3 in the CL. Always rated Saha, he's a top, top player. The only thing I can say against him is that, when he has a bad start he can drift outta the game a bit, I'd also like to see him getting goals when we're not playing well, we'll need that after Rvn leaving.

Anything else you want to tell us?

Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, City and Leeds....I SHIT ON YOUR FACE!

Article

This month’s article is written by Red Yank.

Our Boy Rooney

At 20 years old I remember my only concerns were finding a decent job to have money in my pocket and hanging out with friends on the weekends, Rooney however has had to try to meet the expectations of his country and club as well as his own ambitions to be better than great players like Best and Cantona. To strive to be better than legendary players is a lofty goal but when you factor in the pressure from external sources
like the media and the expectations of supporters one can't help but wonder how much of a toll that takes on a young player. The media has depicted him as a short tempered player who lashes out at referees and players alike, and while there's no doubt he has a temper is it possible the pressure Rooney feels might have a part to play in his recent lack of form? He is always intense and ultra competitive every match but considering the events of the past few months it seems like there's been a lot of expectations but few have been met as there were other factors to consider so let's take a look...

World Cup

Now I was absolutely shocked when Rooney was injured in the Chelsea match last season because with the World Cup not too far away I had a distinct feeling there would be a lot of pressure to have Rooney in the team. We all know that England needed him but what I found a bit disturbing was the fact that the pundits made it seem like there was no hope for the national side without him playing. England already had a decent squad and while not having Rooney was a substantial loss to their attack there were still other options to consider rather than Sven placing all of his eggs in one basket. After a fair share of negative press against United in the form of Fergie's unwillingness to play the boy versus Rooney's desire to play it was good that it didn't cause any friction between club and player. Lack of fitness, playing out of position and the flop that the was the Gerrard/Lampard midfield results in little opportunity for Rooney to meet the high expectations placed on him.


2006/2007 Season

The moment all us Reds have been waiting for: the start of the Premiership season. However shortly into the season a daft Dutch referee's complaint during the Amsterdam Tournament results in Rooney (and Scholes) missing three matches and of course the media comes in and goes on about Rooney's temper when it was clearly a questionable call that should not have been reported to the FA. Between the suspensions he's had to serve can anyone really expect him to be at top level? Yet this has been the expectation placed on him and with that come the questions of Fergie's ability to get United back as title winners. Now I may not be a footie expert but what seems obvious to me is that there is too much expected of Rooney and when he does not provide results those that build him up are quick to criticize without really factoring in the circumstances. As a Red I know that Rooney is not United, but a part of the club - one of the many players that contribute to the success of the club. What everyone needs to remember is that he is a 20 year old player who carries a lot of weight everytime he sets foot on a pitch, and at United the other 10 players that play with him need to help him shoulder the burden and contribute when he can't.

Match of the Month

This month’s write up is by Dizzy. Rather than going down the conventional route of reviewing a United game, and instead, looking at football on the continent.

I was hoping to choose United giving Reading a good 4-0 drumming for this months match, but, not everything works out. I was then tempted with the Benfica game, but I decided against it, far too obvious. As people know, I'm a big Serie A fan, so my choice is Roma Vs Internazionale from week 3.

It came apparent as soon as James Richardson and co. built up this game's history as a high-scoring game, which showed how Italian Football is more than just defending that this was going to be a low score. They must have mentioned high-scores at least 20 times in the build up.

Due to Milan, Fiorentina, and Lazio's point deduction, it became quite clear that Inter and Roma were run away favorites for this years Scudetto, and this could prove to be a vital three points for later on in the season.

No Luis Figo started for Inter who has been far one of their best players in recent times despite being 33. Adriano was also missing, although that made much more sense. Adriano has yet to regain the touch he once had a couple of seasons ago.

The first significant chance came from Francesco Totti who’s seventh minute free-kick looked destined for the back of the net until Julio Cesar’s late leg knocked it over and out for a Roma corner.

Roma themselves were playing some very, very attractive football. Pass, pass, and pass. Perhaps similar to Arsenal you could say, but that would make it seem like Arsenal were the first team to pass the ball about a bit more than normal. It was said passing that gave Roma had yet another chance, and Mancini’s chip of Cesar was only kept out from a clearance on the line by none other than Marco Materazzi.

Inter though, were certainly not sitting back, and down the wings looked very much like they were going to ‘cause problems. Hernan “Only In Italy” Crespo in particular was causing the Romans serious trouble with tormenting Mexes in the box, it was possible future United target Daniele De Rossi who denied Hernan’s first attempt after he fooled Mexes, but his shot was blocked by De Rossi.

It was from an almost identical image except with out De Rossi in which the games only goal was scored, Crespo went past Mexes and put in a good finish to beat Doni.

And soon after, an entertaining first half came to an end. Inter, whose coach Roberto Mancini had apparently been given 3 games to prove himself before he would get the sack. It was another Mancini who was cause for concern for Roma fans, Amantino Mancini had been taken off in the first half injured. This meant Montella had come on to be his replacement.

In the 56th minute Roma brought on 18 year old Aleandro Rosi. Rosi plays predominately on the wings, and I must say, for 18 years old he has a real future in football. He’d go under the file marked ‘Manchester United Quality’. Although I doubt Roma would sell him for anything cheap.

Despite good Roma play in the second half, Inter looked comfortable. It could have been put beyond doubt in the 59th minute when Mexes was alleged to pull back on Crespo in the box, but upon looking at the replay, it was a very soft penalty. Zlatan Ibrahimovic stood up to take the penalty. Although, as soon as he stood above the ball I said out loud, to absolutely no one around me “he’s not going to score”. He didn’t. You could say justice was served for the softness of the foul, but Ibrahimovic really should have sunk it. It was similar experience to watching England’s penalties during every major tournament. You could tell Zlatan wasn’t even interested in scoring, and he took it so casually, that if a strong breeze had come, it probably would have made the ball move faster.

Perhaps the real highlight of the game for me was our dear friend Patrick Vieira getting sent off yet again for Inter, this time for dissent. I love seeing that man complain.

And so brought to the end a good game of attacking football. Despite Inter winning, I’d say out of the two Roma looked a far better side in terms of how they play their football, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win the Scudetto this year, but my money is firmly on AC Milan. And yes, De Rossi is definitely worth a try from Fergie.

AS Roma: Doni; Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro; Aquilani (Rosi 56), Perrotta (Okaka 87), Mancini (Montella 25); Totti.

FC Internazionale: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Materazzi (Samuel 84), Grosso (Maxwell 85); Zanetti, Vieira, Dacourt, Stankovic; Ibrahimovic, Crespo (Gonzalez 87)

Man of the Match: Hernan Crespo. He was a constant pain for Mexes and Chivu. Scored the winning goal, and won the penalty which should have sealed the deal.

Player of the Month

This month’s write up is by Miss United

When Rooney got sent off, and England was eliminated from the World Cup thousands of hearts all over England shattered into tiny pieces yet again. As the tears turned to anger the England fans with their rose tinted glasses yet again failed to blame the England manager and players for the teams exit, and instead their eyes turned towards a talented, young Portuguese man named Christiano Ronaldo. Then the rumours started, would he return to England, would he handle the pressure that would be put on him from the fans of the opposition, or could Rooney and he even play together? Even a hand full of the United supporters turned their backs on him, telling him to get away from Old Trafford. All those problems and the media kept asking could he handle it. The answer?

HELL YEAH.

Ronaldo has been playing well since the season started, but yes he is still young, and he has a lot to learn. He still sometimes does a selfish thing and tries shooting when he should pass to someone who has a greater chance of scoring, or he doesn’t pass the ball and instead attempt going past three defenders, sometimes succeeding and at other times failing to get past even one. Despite this no one can deny that Ronaldo has been an epiphany this season, and has not only answered the expectations of those who had faith in him, but silenced those who criticized him and said he could not do it.

From leading the attack against Tottenham to scoring a vital goal to get us a point at the Madejski Stadium, Ronaldo has not only been showing talent and determination, but he has been playing with his heart on his sleeve, proving to the United fans that despite all the rumours he does want to play at the Theatre of Dreams. He has been working hard, running his talented little feet off hungry for goals, points and of course trophies. I am not saying that Ronaldo is an amazing player; he has a long way to go. He has potential and he can learn and develop under the guidance of Sir Alex, and if he continues down the path he has started then he will become one of the best in the world in a few years time. I do not see Ronaldo as one of those who will be in it for life at Old Trafford, at some point I expect him to go to Spain where he will feel right at home with the play being similar to that of which he became accustomed to in his homeland. However, as long as he is playing in the colour of the devil, and doing so proudly, we should enjoy it and cheer him on. I hope Ronaldo will continue scoring and creating goals this seasons, and for many more to come. Now all together now, just for good measure…

UNITED>ENGLAND

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I hope you enjoyed the fifth edition of The Paper. Any comments about it please leave in the comments thread on this board
Editor: Scott