Post by Scott on May 30, 2007 23:43:45 GMT
Welcome to the 13th edition of Republik of Mancunia: The Paper. The season is over *sob* but to lift our spirits, we have an edition of the Paper which is jam packed with reviews from the season, and what a season it has been. Little did I know, just over a year ago when I started the forum, that we would be finishing the season as Champions.
In this edition we’ll reveal the results of our competition, and a big thanks to all those that entered. To see the winners and runners up, click here for the Hall of Fame. Winners of the Prediction and Fantasy Leagues will also be hailed here.
As celebration for our wonderful season, we have added a new design to the shop. “9 Times – Fergie Wonderland” commemorates Sir Alex Ferguson’s 9th league title with the club.
Don’t forget last month’s new design, “Giggs Will Tear You Apart Again”. With news of his international retirement, hopefully we will be getting more of our veteran winger over the remaining years of his career.
Find both shirts and many other designs at the shop.
The reviews found in The Paper for Player and Match go up on the RoM.org Blog, so if you fancy seeing your opinions up there, drop me a PM and let me know what you fancy writing. At RoM.org we try to encourage a varied group of people to write our reviews, so do join in. Get in touch
Before getting in to the Paper, I have an announcement. The forum has been left with a big hole after the departure of Sil, and whilst we won’t be able to replace her, we do have to move forward. This is why Jorge and I have decided to present Adam with full mod status. He will continue on with his creative contribution to the forum and help us continue to move the forum in the right direction. Here’s a note from him about his plans for the forum
Pre Season Activities[/u]
The football season is over, unfortunately and now we have to bear the thought of internationals until United return to the fray. Apart from there obviously being plenty and plenty of transfer rumours regarding comings and goings to the Theatre of Dreams, I've decided to start a little game that will keep us going and providing a little something to do. Just a reminder whilst I've got the opportunity that the Prediction & Fantasy Leagues will be back next season so keep an eye out for them too and also congratulations to our winners who are up in the Hall of Fame board.
So now for one of hopefully many additions to the ROM Fun & Games.
(*Please Do Not Invite Non-Members To The League, This Is For Members Only So Use It As An Advertisement For The Forum. They are more than welcome to join the league after signing up on the forum.)
Match Days have automatically been selected as Tuesdays & Fridays at 14:00 (GMT) but please remember you don't have to be online during the game, just set your teams up before hand and then you'll receive a match report. Depending on the reaction to the league, the popularity we'll hopefully divide into two leagues. So the first twenty will be in this league and then top ten become the "Premier League" and the bottom ten "Second Tier" so it's the first twenty to join. If there is an influx and a lot more people want to join I'll sort something out. It's easy to use, read the rules too. It's free too, similar to Championship Manager/Football Manager. Set up your team, send out press releases, make transfers, formations, etc and let's see how good you are.
So join quickly, so we can get it kicked off. Keep an eye out for more fun activities or if you've any ideas just let us know.
Adam
Now let us begin:
Member of the Month
Another difficult choice this month, with there being several candidates in the short list. This member has been extremely active over the past month, instigating several debates and posting up plenty of articles. So join me in congratulation our Italian lady, Kokka.
United’s Defence 06/07
This write up is by Chris.
Our defence this season has certainly been an improvement. You always felt that during the past few years, we have been rather shaky at the back, but our title win was helped by a strong back line. Now I know that we ended up conceding 27 goals in the end, but this number of goals increased when we had the major injury issues towards the end of the season. When I say that, I don't mean that our other defenders are poor, but when you don't play on a weekly basis with each other it will never be easy. Still the players who came in did a great job. Our main back 4 were superb throughout the season with 2 of them recieving praise from everywhere after a tough first season. Now for a breakdown on each individual defender.
Gary Neville - The captain and the drive behind United. Superb again all season and Englands Mr Reliable. No mistakes all season and its a shame he didn't end up on the scoresheet, but with a career return of 7 goals in 542 appearences im sure we can let him off. We missed him when he was injured against Bolton and he didn't play again all season. Without him, we lost our main authority figure at the back and it showed on the rest of the back line. Results against AC Milan and in the F.A Cup final could have gone our way, but injuries happen in a season. We had good cover for him though.
Wes Brown - Came in and did a great job. Got forward whilst playing at right back and was solid whilst covering at centre back. He came in when our injuries piled up and once the season finished he said that he was happy at United. The kind of commitment that makes any United fan happy.
John O'Shea - Both a midfielder and a defender, but I had to include him in my report for THAT goal. Defensively he had a solid season, covering when needed at right back, left back and centre back and every championship winning squad needs this kind of player. He scored 5 goals this season including, yes, THAT goal. Now I was a bit sceptical about United winning the league until THAT goal. It really made me believe that this was our year. It also stole Gary Neville's dream of 'scoring the winner in front of the Kop'. Shut the dippers up anyway.
Rio Ferdinand - Reliable as ever at the back and grabbed a goal against the scousers (and what a goal). Strong as ever in the tackle and gave 100% commitment. His concentration level, which was often critized, has drastically improved and in my opinion, this was his best season in a red shirt. He has also got a great defender alongside him and has now formed an excellent partnership with this player.
Nemanja Vidic - Gives me pleasure to write a review about him and the main reason I put myself forward to write a review of the defence. What a player this guy is and id be lying if I didn't question the decision of buying him, but yet again Fergie has proved me wrong. Best defender in the premiership this season. Excellent at the back and a big worry for defenders whilst going forward. 4 goals this season and they all turned out to be quite important. His improvement is unbelievable. He was injured for the World Cup with Serbia, but would they have got beat 6-0 by Argentina if Vidic was playing? I don't think so He has that kind of influence. Voted into the team of the year by his fellow professionals. Next United shirt I buy will have VIDIC 15 on the back. Brilliant.
Patrice Evra - Another hugely improved player. Superb going forward and what we need at the back. Somebody like Ashley Cole (but not a complete prick) at going forward and calm defending. 2 goals this season and again, a player that never looked comfortable in his first season. In his first United game, he was given a run around by no other than Trevor sinclair. Sinclair has now been released by a massive club and Evra has a Premiership medal. What a contrast to last January. Towards the end of the season he picked up an injury and when he got back he found himself on the bench. A mistake against Milan has kind of taken the shine away from his season, but thats one game. In the other 35 games he has appeared in, he has been quality.
Gabriel Heinze - Struggled at the begining of the season, brilliant towards the end. Another top player and he looked like he was heading for the exit with the great progress of Patrice Evra. Made his mark on the left back spot when Evra was injured and was great on the pitch. The fans love him and I think Fergie does too. Not everybody gets to be United captain like Gabby was against Chelsea. Everybody sing it 'Argentina, Argentina'.
Mikeal Silvestre - Came in on the odd ocassion, did ok, but I don't think he will be at the club very long. He is slipping down the pecking order and he loses concentration too often.
Kieran Lee - Impressive when he played. Played in 3 games, and scored the winner against Crewe. He has a big future.
All in all, it was a good season for the defenders and with Pique and Evans coming back from loan spells it can only get better. The future is looking good now, in an area where we have struggled in recent years. With a few more seasons together, we could be looking at our best back 4 in our Premiership history, maybe even our best back 4 ever.
United’s Goal of the Season 06/07
This write up is by BusbyBoy.
We have witnessed many a brilliant goal this season as United's free flowing, attacking football made us league champions again.
With an attack boasting the talents of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Louis Saha, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and for a short period Henrik Larsson some would say it's no wonder Manchester United were top scorers in the Premier League and scorers of some superb goals.
Wayne Rooney's delightful chip over David James was Cantona-esque and ensured United's progress through the FA Cup as did Henrik Larsson's wonderful debut goal against Aston Villa previously.
Then there was Louis Saha's thunderbolt against Benfica at the Stadium of Light to exact revenge over the club that had knocked us out of the Champions League last season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's winner against Celtic was as good for pure drama and ecstasy as the forgotten man made a return on the European Stage.
Talking about the European Stage what about Michael Carrick's double, it's hard to seperate the two. His first and his second, both being absolute stormers for different reasons.
Then we come to a game which epitomised United's season when the free flowing attacking football hasn't been there. We're 1-0 down against Fulham and up steps our magnificent wingers, Ryan Giggs & Cristiano Ronaldo.
Giggs' was a sublime volley to get United level and in the dying stages, our player of the season, Ronaldo, stepped up with another of his wonderful goals.
Don't forget even our defenders have popped up with the odd excellent goal, Rio Ferdinand vs. Liverpool, Evra vs. Roma, Vidic vs. Tottenham and okay, this goal may not be a contender for any goal of the year competition ever but last minute winner in front of the Kop End against the Scousers..I had to include it
- it's Johnny. Sheasy vs. Liverpool.
OK, so we all know who the winner is right about now. It's obviously the man I've yet to mention. He's scored a few crackers though. Scholesy's goal vs. Blackburn that brought United from behind was quality but the winner is and has to be, his superb volley against Aston Villa.
Paul Scholes is a quiet genius, a family man, a player who shys away from the public eye but a player who will always be remembered as an all time United great. His goal against Aston Villa are the sort of moments Manchester United fans will miss as much as his mistimed tackles ;D - a true legend and a goal that sums up his genius.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
And from the stands, here it is again!
