Seventeenth Edition - Happy Halloween

[Scott]

Welcome to the 17th edition of Republik of Mancunia: The Paper. The months seem to be flying by at the moment, and it doesn’t feel two minutes since I was last putting The Paper together. Maybe that’s my age?

Just a few quick announcements before we get in to the meaty bit. Firstly, if you hadn’t seen the thread, the shop/forum is going to be advertised in the next edition of the official United magazine, Inside United. It goes on sale December 5th so do grab a copy of that to see your favourite United forum all glossy and bright. The shop can now be found at MancuniaMerchandise.com so check it out.

Secondly, over the next couple of weeks or so we’ll be running a competition to come up with a new name for The Paper. We want something catchy, but still pretty cool, edgey, which represents what the forum and paper are all about. So you could have a name with a tag line too, that’s fine. Put all your suggestions in the thread in the General Board.

Finally, after great success first time around, Adam is keen to get the second season of Xpert XI up and running. If you want to know more about that, check out the Fantasy League boad (in General Football) or PM Busby Boy.

Now let us begin:

Member of the Month

This month’s winner is someone who has been with the forum for over a year now, and although hasn’t been the most active member over that period of time, when he does come around, he leaves us with a few gems. So join me in congratulating Soapy as October’s Member of the Month.

Interview

Time for the member interview. After finally reaching the 500 posts mark, my missus will be welcoming you in to her World for the next few minutes. So read on for MrsRepublik’s interview.

Real name: Jennifer

Where are you from: Hmmm, grew up in Tampa, FL

Who is your biggest inspiration: My grandpa was a biginspiration for me. He was an artist and always thought I was "a specialone" (watch out Jose!)

What would you like to be better at: Relaxing lol

What is your all time favourite film? I could likely watch Labyrinth until the end of time

If you won the lottery, how would you spend it? Pay off mydebt, my parents' debt, then buy me and the mister a lurvely house tomake way for any and all kiddies we have. if there's still money left,take us on a super posh trip around Europe ai.

One job in the world, what would it be? head of marketing for United

What’s your biggest ambition in life? Kicking ass in thecorporate world and coming home to my lurvely family at the end of the day

What’s your greatest ever achievement? So far, finalist in theinternational awards for women in business. Better? the WINNER. We'll see...

What’s your biggest regret? Staying in places too long when I knew it was time to move on. Wasting time really. [ed. I hope you're not talking about wasting time with ME there!]

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Ok, hmm.. Where physically? Not sure. Lifewise - married with 2 kids and working at a bigagency kicking some corporate a$$

Who is your favourite player? Oh Van Der Sarrrrrrr is Won DerFULLLLLLL

Who do you hate most: City/Liverpool/Leeds/Arsenal/Other I have to say Arsenal at the moment because their fans in my pub in ATL are THE mostobnoxious people on earth

How did you celebrate us winning the title? Jumping, shouting,and drinking many beers at the pub!

Which rival team do you think poses the biggest threat? Arsenal

Which new signing are you most excited about? Though I hesitateto say it, Tevez. He really seems to be fitting in just right thesedays.. and it helps that all the critics went on about how it wouldnever work

Where would you be without United? in bed (esp. at the weekend, if i was in atlanta, it would be a 7:45am kickoff for the arsenal smackdown)

Who's your favourite member on the forum? kindof an unfair one,but our fearless leader - the lurvely Scotty

Anything else you want to tell us? To all those in the Stretford End - Start singing my Van Der Sar chant!

Article

This month's article is by Henry from ManUnitedView:

I think that after recent performances, it’s fair to say that United are back and rapidly edging towards their best. After the 4-0 win over Wigan, United have put four past Villa, Kiev and recently Middlesbrough, which equals a 100 year old club record for scoring four in four consecutive games.

This is absolutely brilliant and our campaign to retain the title has truly started now, but the coming weeks will be a test to really see how far the reds have come. Starting with Arsenal away next Sunday, United will then welcome Kiev on the Champions League return leg, then it will be a tough home game against the rapidly improving Blackburn side. United then travel to Bolton before Sporting Lisbon visit Old Trafford.

But I have to say that the United squad has impressed me very much in recent weeks, and I can already see little partnerships and co-ordinations that ensure that I have every confidence the reds will continue their rich run of form.

None impressed me more though than the Argentine upfront. When Tevez signed, the majority of United fans and pundits predicted that his partnership with Rooney simply won’t work, as they play too much like each other. This then meant that these people preferred to see more of a goal poacher upfront -someone who you would expect to be challenging for the long Rio Ferdinand passes from the back.
During that time though, I firmly believed that playing with a goal poacher isn’t the United way. I would rather see two wingers, a centre mid and two strikers flying in attack, than a striker and another striker just behind him. United are at their best playing this way, and that was one of the major reasons why United devastated defences last season.

So Rooney and Tevez knuckled down in training, and some of the stuff they have both been playing recently is pure class. They are already showing a unique understanding between each other, and at these early stages, one seems to get he ball and know where the other is in a split second.

This isn’t by luck or determination, this is showing that they are both great players. Andy Townsend, the ITV pundit said during the Kiev game along the lines of:

“ Tevez and Rooney are world class players, and world class players already know what the other is going to do. They form an understanding instantly due to their intelligence.”

And for the first time in my young life, I wholeheartedly agree with an ITV pundit. You can practice and practice partnerships, but there are some that you simply cannot coach. There is something unique in partnerships like Cole and Yorke, and Hughes and Cantona. That’s why they stand out from others.

Rooney and Tevez are similar in many ways. They are both strong and aggressive, and they are ready to chase down defenders and midfielders all day long. Their finishing and first touch in sublime and they link-up brilliantly with the midfield. The other thing is that they are both probably the ugliest players in the Premiership, and their combined force will give defenders nightmares. The last thing an opposition player wants is getting the ball, turning and realising that a raging Argentine bull is coming full force at him, hastily backed up by Shrek.

But without neat, crisp passes in the midfield, Tevez and Rooney wouldn’t be enjoying such impressive form. Ronaldo as always is causing havoc to opposition defences, and that is expected for a player of such high calibre.

Scholesy looks like he’s out for a while, so Anderson will have to get used to starting alongside Hargreaves or someone else. Despite not scoring yet for United, I think Anderson movement and touch will help United to even more wins.

United have only conceded 3 goals at home, (2 against Coventry and 1 against Boro) plus having a solid defensive away record. When United weren’t scoring that many goals, it was a relief to see that we weren’t conceding many as well. Nemanja Vidic has been an absolute rock at the back. And with the ‘Nemanja oooooh’ chant ringing out regularly at United games, it shows that the fans appreciate his contributions. He is solid in the tackle and marks strikers brilliantly. Vidic is brilliant at heading the ball defensively, and also when needed in set pieces. His header against Everton is the sort of header coaches try teaching kids. The way he ran and attacked the ball was a joy to watch.

Vidic and Rio are continually doing well in the middle of the back line, and so is Wes Brown on the right. Gary Neville is set for a return from injury, and even he admits that he will face competition from Brown for a place back in the starting eleven. Despite a few poor crosses, Brown has been generally solid and reliable at right back.

So the squad looks great defensively and attacking wise. Bring on the league.

Match of the Month

This month’s write up is by Sil.

When I got the task of writing the article for match of the month of August, most people were rather confused when I chose the loss against Manchester City. Despite what might have been common belief, I didn’t choose the match just for shock value or to be controversial, I chose it because I BELIEVED it would be a turning point in our season. Since then we have played 12 matches, whereas we have won 11 and lost only one in the Carling Cup against a Coventry City side that scored two goals against a team made up of mainly Manchester United reserves. The month of October saw another turning point for the Devils in Red that started in our second match of the month. We went from playing the title winning football of grinding out a one goal win in tough matches to goals galore, scoring four goals in four consecutive matches.

Of course the more matches we play beautiful football and secure convincing wins, the harder it gets to chose which match to write about. In all our matches this far we have played good football and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by some of the performers. Not only are Rooney and Tevez seemingly developing a beautiful partnership, something I was incredibly sceptical of when we signed Carlitos, but they’re both scoring goals. Anderson, another player I hadn’t expected to make a strong mark in the squad early on has started to do more than fit in. As our midfield has suffered from injuries to our more experienced players in Carrick and Hargreaves, our new Brazillian star has stepped up to not only perform when next to the midfield magician that is Paul Scholes, but show authority and skill next to the less talented, although hardworking, Darren Fletcher.

So which match do I chose? The 4-0 win against Wigan is easily excluded, as I was unable to watch it. As the boys were shining on the pitch I was watching a storm waiting to happen as I sat in church watching a couple who looked as though they were at a close friend’s funeral get married. The final match of the month is equally excluded as I couldn’t watch the highlights, and missed the match itself as the various internet streams of live matches seem to have all developed personal vendettas towards me. I was leaning towards picking the match at Villa Park after we came back from being a goal down to beat Martin O’Neill’s side 4-1, but then my mind drifted again, to a cold evening in Eastern Europe.

Dynamo Kiev might have lost nine consecutive matches in the Champions League ahead of our journey there, but as with all matches I was not taking three points for granted. Travelling to Eastern Europe is never easy. Usually it means a nil nil draw for us, and despite Kiev having played less than impressive football both in their own league and in Europe I was dreading what might be the final score when ninety minutes had been played at the Olympiyskiy stadium. More so I was dreading having to listen to a scouser I know give me more grief about how Liverpool were the only English side to have gone there and gotten three points. When the final whistle did sound United had secured a 4-2 win away against a team that played poor football, a better result than I could have ever wished for.

Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs were being relentless in their attacking play on that night, and Anderson was shining as bright as any star on a dark winter night as he commanded our central midfield. We were leading by two goals within twenty minutes of the first half, the first goal scored by Rio Ferdinand who headed in a well taken free kick from our current captain Ryan Giggs. After some beautiful teamwork from Christiano Ronaldo and Wesley Brown, Rooney easily chipped in our second goal, Dynamo by then being relieved that only two goals had been scored against their weak defense and dodgy goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskiy. However, after a period of looking scarily like a poor Sunday League team, Kiev began to fight their way back into the match and Rincon making his team’s first chance at goal count as he headed the ball in the back of Van Der Sar’s net, converting a nicely taken corner into an unexpected goal for the home side. However as the home team started to regain faith in achieving to take points from the clash, Ronaldo ripped out their hearts and stamped on their hope as he headed in a beautiful goal made possible by The Welsh Wizard Ryan Giggs, doing what he does best as he ran down the wing and made a beautiful pass. The first half ended 3-1, and I for one was shocked that our World Class performance had not resulted in an even bigger lead.

The second half seemed more even as United lay low and tried to benefit from counter attacks, seeming happy with the score as it was. Only one of our counter attacks resulted in a goal, as one of Kiev’s players were unlucky enough to hit the ball with his elbow within the box and Ronaldo confidently hit the ball from the 11metre mark scoring his second of the night. Twelve minutes before full time Bangoura scored a second goal for Kiev, and the final goal of the match, a poor consolation as they made their very unimpressive strike ten losses in a row in the Champions League.

The Premiership has, is and always will be THE trophy. The title I want to see at Old Trafford more than any other, and the one I cherish above all others. However at the back of my mind I keep thinking this is our year. Not only at home, but in Europe. Our year to retain The European Cup, the one the Busby Babes first took to Manchester in 1968, the one Sir Alex’ kids that grew to greatness retained in 1999 by the help of a legend that now has retired, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 2008 will mark a tragic fifty years since the lives lost on that cold night in Munich. It marks the forty year anniversary of when Sir Matt Busby’s team rebuilt from the ashes of that plane won us the European Cup, and although usually a realist (some may even say a cynic), I am supersticious when it comes to football and United. This year is our year, I can feel it in my blood and I hope that we will continue displaying the kind of football that we have shown this month both at home and in Europe.

The United's flag is deepest red,
It shrouded all our Munich dead
And before their limbs grew stiff and cold,
Their hearts' blood dyed its ev'ry fold.

Then raise United's banner high,
Beneath its shade we'll live and die,
So keep the faith and never fear
We'll keep the red flag flying here.

We'll never die, We'll never die
We'll never die, We'll never die
We'll keep the red flag flying high
Cos Man United will never die

Dynamo Kiev: Shovkoskiy, Nesmachnyi, Diakhate, Gavrancic, Yussuf, Ghioane (Belkevich, 46.), Husev, Shatskikh (Milevski, 46.), Rincon, Bangoura, Correa (Rotan, 83.).
Unused subs: Rybka, Vaschuk, Kaddouri, Markovic

Manchester United: Van Der Sar (Kuszczak 80’), Ferdinand, Brown, Vidic, O’shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs (Simpson 80’), Tevez (Nani 72’, Rooney
Unused subs: Pique, J Evans, Eagles

Player of the Month

This month’s write up will be pleasing to Adam, and is written by Stonecarver. He wanted it to be known this article was written a couple of weeks ago due to him going on holiday (as recent scorelines may have effected his choice).

From the euphoria of being crowned Champions followed by a very successful performance in the transfer window, United’s fans could be forgiven for having very high expectations for this season. Instead we saw a ponderous start to the campaign. Not that the team were putting in bad performances, we just weren’t finding the back of the net, injuries and suspensions all played a factor. Indeed the injury front still doesn’t look much better. But as we near the end of October it would appear that normal service has been resumed.

With United's embarrassment of riches, to single one man out as player of the month is a tall order, indeed it is difficult to see past the silky, metronymic skills of Scholes or the dominating presence of Vidic. Especially with so few games this month due to the international break.

Tevez has come into the United side and is already proving himself as a fans favourite. His work ethic and willingness to run himself ragged for the team are a real credit and despite his lack of pace his positional sense and skill on the ball make him a real goal threat. I hope he makes his loan move permanent.

Ronaldo, back from his unjust suspension has again set the Premiership on fire with his breath taking skills, his audacious dribbles. He runs at defences like no other man can. He plays on the left, he plays on the right, that boy Ronaldo…………

Rooney has made a phenomenally quick return from his broken metatarsal and what an impact his presence on the pitch has made. I love watching him play, his never surrender, never give up attitude, his commitment is exemplary, he embodies the United spirit.

But my player of the month is Rio Ferdinand.

At 28 years old Rio Ferdinand has grown into one of the finest, if not the best, centre backs in the world. Gone are the days of Rio being caught napping or guilty of sloppy or lazy play.
Ferdinand’s partnership with Vidic has gifted United the tightest defence in the premiership. Their contrasting skills compliment each other so effectively that I do not hesitate in saying that United have the best central partnership in the world at present. If Vidic is the warrior, Rio is the field marshal, his reading of the game is second to non, his positional sense is almost immaculate. Combine this with his ease of possession, he has the skills of a midfielder and his passing is superb, second only to Scholes. When Vidic was taken off with concussion against Wigan. Ferdinand controlled the back four with the conviction of a natural born leader. In fact our defence has been so stubborn that it has not conceded in six Premier League matches or 599 minutes (nine hours 59 minutes) of Premier League football since Geovanni scored the winner for Manchester City on 19 August. Ferdinand has had a fantastic start to the season and has gone about things in a quiet and competent way. His easy and relaxed style of play can mean he goes unnoticed to the casual observer ( or football pundit ), it all looks so effortless. Going forward he plays as the link from defence to midfield, his long range passing is impressive, he also posses a constant threat at set plays, who can forget his winning goal against Liverpool?

The reality is that we are blessed to have Rio at centre back. He is the calm in the storm and at 29 years old is only now hitting his prime and could go on to play for United for years to come.
POST VILLA EDIT Having just thumped the Villa 4-1 away, I am tempted to change the player of the month to Rooney or Tevez. They are both coming into form and with Rooney banging them in for fun at the moment he would edge Tevez out ( despite his phenomenal performances). BUT, I’m going to stick with Rio. Their goal shouldn't have been a goal. VDS was clearly fouled prior to the goal. Hell he was knocked backwards into the goal and then the guy who knocked him down then unsighted him in an offside position. No goal ! Clean sheet again I reckon.

To choose Rio Ferdinand as player of the month may not be the most popular or obvious choice, but without him, would we be where we are now. You know the answer to that as well as I do………..

RoM.org Gaming Section

Ben/Vidic > Superman has kindly offered you his thoughts on Fifa 08.

I’d spend hours upon hours on Fifa 07, I often found myself wondering if the 08 version could possibly be any better, it could and it is. EA sports have come up trumps again this year. Many have already touted this as the best football game of all time. Does it live up to the obviously high expectations? Read on to find out.

The game now allows you to take your pick from 30 leagues and 621 teams licensed by Fifa. Three new leagues have been added, they are: FAI League of Ireland, the Australian A-League and the Czech Gambrinus Liga. The game now features of 15,000 players more than ever before.


The manager mode is excellent once again with the added option to test out your team before the season begins with pre – season games. The graphics have once again improved from the previous version and are very life like, very realistic. The graphics is far from the most important thing in a football game, the game play should be a priority for the designers, it clearly has been. The game play is spot on, the game play on 07 was great but this is something else. The game once again contains excellent options for playing against others online.


This edition boasts a brand spanking new feature. ‘Be a pro’ allows you to control just one player within the game, up to four individual players can be controlled at one time by four different players. This feature was much hyped up before the release date; it doesn’t quite live up to expectations, which is a shame. The idea of just controlling one player within the game is relatively new and quite frankly can only get better with future games. Also on the downside is the crossing, very lackluster compared to its predecessor. The crossing takes a lot of getting used to but even when you have more experience with it, it is still not easy. The crossing is irritating and is the worst thing about the game.

The soundtrack to the game is once again full of relatively unknown bands but provides an excellent all round background to the game. The music covers plenty of different genres, which means there is almost certainly something there for everyone. My personal recommendations include: Apartment, K-OS, The Hours, Lukas Kasha, Disco Ensemble and Art Brut.

The game as a whole is pretty astounding, however there are a few little imperfections. These do not take away from the overall result of the game but do stop the game from being as good as it could be, EA have achieved a new level of football gaming greatness with Fifa 08. I eagerly wait to see how Fifa 09 could possibly better this; it will be a struggle I can assure you of that. Time will tell if or how it could be done. In the mean time I like many others will get plenty of use out of this fantastic game.

The best football game of all time? You bet it is. There is still one question however that still remains unanswered…












Can you Fifa 08?



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

Editor: Scott