Meet The Riot #3: Midfield

Name: Giles BARNES
RMR Squad Number: 7
Position: AM RC
Signed: 25/02/09, P/Exchange for Marco Criscuolo (G700 F.C.)

Real-Life:

Having scored 7 goals in 12 international appearances for England at Under-19 level whilst at Derby County, Giles Barnes has caught the eye of Premier League side Fulham. The pacy attacking midfielder is currently on loan at the Cottagers, with a view to a permanent £4m-move at the end of the 2008-09 season.

RMR Bio:

Giles Barnes had already proven himself a consistent performer for several top-ranked clubs when he was snapped up from G700 F.C. in a swap deal, with RMR prodigy Marco Criscuolo moving in the other direction. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength at Riot, playing some of the best football of his career. His exciting movement and creative passing have made him a fan favourite, and as well as maintaining a good strike rate for a midfielder, he has also contributed a great number of assists.

Name: AROUCA
RMR Squad Number: 8
Position: DM + M R
Signed: 01/12/08, £140,000 Initial Squad

Real-Life:

A diminuitive Brazilian playmaker who has spent most of his career at Fluminense, Arouca was signed by League Champions Sao Paulo FC on a long-term contract. He has represented his country at both U17 and U21 levels, including being a part of the Brazilian U17 side which won the U17 World Cup in 2003.

RMR Bio:

Arouca is, quite simply, the rock on which River Medway Riot has been built. The club's star signing on day one, he has been the man in the middle of the pitch through which everything flows. Playing more often as a central midfielder than a defensive one, his quick feet and intelligent passing saw him form the effective Brazilian triangle with Paulinho Dias and Saulo for several seasons. With over 600 appearances to his name, he is also the club's highest earner, and has repeatedly committed his future to the Riot as a one-club man.

Name: PAULINHO DIAS
RMR Squad Number: 14
Position: DM
Signed: 12/12/08, £100,000 Transfer Auction (Youth FC)

Real-Life:

Having been a hot youth prospect at Cruzeiro, Paulinho Dias is now a regular starter for Ipatinga, who finished bottom of the Brazilian Serie A at the end of the 2008 season.

RMR Bio:

As River Medway Riot's first six-figure signing, it took some time for Paulinho Dias to settle in at the club, turning in some distinctly average performances in the first season. However, once he began to play alongside Arouca, rather than competing for the same position, Paulinho Dias began to blossom, anchoring the midfield, breaking up opposition attacks and directing the pace of the game. While leaving the fancier passing to Saulo and Arouca, Dias's role in the side is to win the ball and put his foot on it, a task which he has mastered, and he is improving season on season.

Name: Jozef "Jojo" MICHALIK (regen)
RMR Squad Number: 16
Position: M C + AM L
Signed: 03/12/08, £10,000 Wage Auction

RMR Bio:

The very first graduate of the River Medway Riot youth academy, Jozef Michalik quickly made the jump from U17 to senior football. While competition for first-team places was fierce, Michalik established himself ahead of Lucas Correa and Lu Lin to become the first choice left winger with intelligent running and a never-say-die attitude. A change of tactics away from wing-based play has seen Michalik pushed back onto the subs bench for season 4, but with plenty of years of football ahead of him, he is looking to be an excellent prospect for leading the next generation of stars.

Name: Oscar SANZ (regen)
RMR Squad Number: 22
Position: M C
Signed: 30/12/08, £1 Transfer Auction (KRAZY KLOWNS F.C.)

RMR Bio:

With many clubs desperate to cut their wage bill around the turn of the New Year, young Oscar Sanz found himself moving to the Riot for the sum of £1. Following two good seasons in the youth team, Sanz found himself on the fringes of a failing senior team, and has made almost 100 first team appearances, often from the bench. The change of tactics and relegation of Jozef Michalik to the subs bench has seen Sanz less involved this season, but he continues to be a menace in the youth squad, and is developing his game nicely.

Name: Michael WOODS
RMR Squad Number: 23
Position: M C
Signed: 01/12/08, £24,000 Initial Squad

Real-Life:

A redheaded midfielder, teenager Michael Woods is on Chelsea's books, but has so far only made cameo appearances in cup games. Hotly tipped as one for the future, he has represented England at U16, U17 and U19 level.

RMR Bio:

Michael Woods is a name reasonably known to FM players, a prospect who generally does very well commanding the midfield. With that in mind, he was brought into the initial RMR squad, but has never really succeeded in making the grade. Following a barely passable first season, he has since made only a handful of appearances in the Riot blue, finding himself loaned out to a number of other sides in unsuccessful attempts to find him some form. He seems destined to be the star that never was.

Name: Omar GUERRA
RMR Squad Number: 15
Position: AM/F C
Signed: 23/03/09, £65,000 End-of-Contract Auction (FC Highlanders)

Real-Life:

Playing in Ecuador's Serie A, Colombian striker Omar Guerra has travelled around the country, currently wearing the colours of Club Deportivo Tecnico Universitario. With his bald head and bold forward play, he averages ten goals per season.

RMR Bio:

Following the success of season four's five-man attack, a key target in the end-of-season transfer frenzy was to bring in players who were comfortable as both an out-and-out striker and in a deeper, AM role. With FC Highlanders becoming defunct, Omar Guerra became available, and fit the bill perfectly. Although his strike rate at Highlanders was disappointing (in contrast with an excellent assist rate), he has already shown himself ready to make the most of a new opportunity at a new club, scoring as many in 25 games as he had in 85 previously at Highlanders.

Meet The Riot: #2 Defence

Name: Reto "Ziggy" ZIEGLER
RMR Squad Number: 18
Position: D/WB/AM L
Signed: 24/02/09, £126,000 Wage Auction

Real-Life:

Swiss International Reto Ziegler is a legitimate star on the world stage, and considered one of the brightest left-sided prospects in Europe. Having appeared for Spurs under both Jacques Santini and Martin Jol as a youth, a loan move to Italian club Sampdoria was made permanent in 2007.

RMR Bio:

Since arriving at Preach Clubrooms, "Ziggy" Ziegler's versatility has given him a very solid run in the first team, making over 100 appearances and establishing himself as the first-choice for the left side. Usually starting games as a wing-back, he is known to drift forwards if required, as well as showing creativity from set pieces.

Name: Mohamed Salah GHAZOUANI (regen)
RMR Squad Number: 21
Position: SW + D C
Signed: 23/02/09, £12,600 End-of-Contract Auction (Spanish Fork FC)

RMR Bio:

A highly-talented sweeper, Mohamed Saleh Ghazouani was much courted when his Spanish Fork FC contract was due to expire. Dominant in the air and decent on the ground, the teenager is knocking on the door of the first team, and looks set to be an RMR superstar for years to come.

Name: FABIANO
RMR Squad Number: 28
Position: D C
Signed: 23/02/09, £15,400 End-of-Contract Auction (Hamilton 1967)

Real-Life:

Research suggests that Fabiano was last seen playing for the U20 side of Brazilian side Marilia, although whether this is still the case is unknown.

RMR Bio:

A big, strong, two-footed defender, Fabiano's signing from renowned side Hamilton 1967 was big news. However, some shaky early appearances saw him lose his confidence and spot in the team to Michele Canini, and since then he has drifted further and further from the first team setup. A loan spell at Seaview has given him some game time, but his long-term future remains to be seen.

Name: Roberto TACCHI (regen)
RMR Squad Number: 31
Position: D/WB/AM R + DM + F C
Signed: 23/02/09, £154,000 End-of-Contract Auction (Hamilton 1967)

RMR Bio:

Signed at the same time as Hamilton 1967 compatriot Fabiano, young Italian Roberto Tacchi has fared much better. With every game he's played, he has simply got better and better. The versatile teenager has thrived after being given free rein to run up and down the right wing, with seven-figure offers already being turned down for him.

Name: Davor PEJOVIC (regen)
RMR Squad Number: 32
Position: D LC
Signed: 09/01/09, £9,000 Wage Auction

RMR Bio:

Having been much sought-after as a free agent, interest in youngster Davor Pejovic has cooled somewhat following some average performances for the RMR youth sides. Agreeing to take a wage cut saw him earn a contract extension, although he knows as well as anyone that his future is in the balance.

Name: Michele CANINI
RMR Squad Number: 33
Position: D C
Signed: 24/02/09, £126,000 Wage Auction

Real-Life:

Tough-tackling centre-back Michele Canini has been likened to Paolo Maldini in his time at Cagliari, and looks to be one of the bright hopes for Italian football. A left-footed defender, he has played for his country at U21 level.

RMR Bio:

A hot free agent after his Arctic Monkeys contract was terminated, Michele Canini has proven himself an absolute bargain. Having replaced Jermaine Taylor on the left side of the two centre backs, he is generally strong in the tackle but prone to schoolboy positioning errors. Canini's ability to play on the left gives him a definite advantage, as well as being one of the more senior heads in the squad, despite having many years still ahead of him.

Name: Alexis NORAMBUENA
RMR Squad Number: 5
Position: D RLC + WB RL
Signed: 28/02/09, £12,000 End-of-Contract Auction (1.FC Josef)

Real-Life:

Alexis Norambuena is a versatile Chilean defender who has recently signed for Polish First Division side Jagiellonia Bialystok. Prior to this, he had played over 100 games for Chilean side Union Espanola, with whom he won the Chilean League in 2005.

RMR Bio:

Brought in as a versatile man-at-the-back, Norambuena's quality performances from the bench have led to him challenging for a first-team spot. Since young Roberto Tacchi is more comfortable as an attacking winger, a change of tactics could see Norambuena get a run in the first team as the right wingback.

Name: Marek WASILUK
RMR Squad Number: 2
Position: D LC + WB L
Signed: 24/03/09, £200,000 Private Transfer (Tortue SG)

Real-Life:

A lanky young defender, Marek Wasiluk moved from his hometown club Jagiellonia Bialystok to Championship contenders Cracovia Krakow.

RMR Bio:

Wasiluk's transfer was already in the works when it was announced Mexican heart-of-the-defence Severo Meza was leaving the club, the tall defender having impressed in four seasons at Tortue SG. A strong and determined player, he will be looking to cement himself in the starting line-up for years to come.

Name: Maxime JOSSE
RMR Squad Number: 3
Position: D RC
Signed: 24/03/09, £500,000 Private Transfer (Kinghorn Hippopotami FC)

Real-Life:

A young centre-back who has come through the ranks at Sochaux, Josse has spent considerable time out on loan to get first-team football. Having previously appeared in the French Ligue 2 for Stade Brestois 29, he is currently wearing the #27 shirt for another Ligue 2 side, Angers SCO.

RMR Bio:

With the new season looming and the major blow of losing Severo Meza in an end-of-contract wage auction, RMR manager Law Martin found himself looking for a new star to build his defence around. Michele Canini had yet to prove himself as a consistent and reliable starter, and as such Maxime Josse was brought in from David Crighton's Kinghorn Hippopotami, for whom he had played over 500 games. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, impressing in pre-season performances and looking likely to be the first choice right centre-back ahead of Wasiluk.

Name: HWANG SUN-PIL
RMR Squad Number: 22
Position: D RLC + WB RL + DM
Signed: 25/03/09, £19,000 End-of-Contract Wage Auction (GS Iraklis Salonika)

Real-Life:

Having played for many years at South Korean side Daegu FC, Hwang Sun-Pil is now part of the military side, Gwangju Sangmu Phoenix, as he performs his two years military service.

RMR Bio:

With his contract at GS Iraklis Salonika running out, it was surprising how little interest there was in Hwang Sun-Pil. An extremely versatile defensive player, he was signed as an all-purpose handyman, filling in wherever needed. In addition to this, he brings dead ball expertise which has been shown to be sorely lacking. Whether he can get ahead of the club's other utility player, Alexis Norambuena, in the pecking order remains to be seen.

Name: Gustavo REARTE (regen)
RMR Squad Number: 24
Position: D/WB RL
Signed: 23/03/09, £8,000 End-of-Contract Wage Auction (Randledinho's)

RMR Bio:

A promising youngster, at 16 years old Gustavo Rearte is already finding himself competing for a spot in the first team. The Argentine is showing good development, and is particularly deadly from free kicks. Definitely one to watch.

Meet The Riot: #1 Goalkeepers

Name: Alan MANNUS
RMR Squad Number: 1
Position: GK
Signed: 24/02/09, £9,000 Wage Auction

Real-Life Bio:

Alan Mannus is a Canadian-born goalkeeper, who has made over 250 appearances for top Northern Irish side Linfield, having come through the club's youth ranks. He has also picked up three international caps for Northern Ireland.

RMR Bio:

Following the departures of Marcelo Bonan and Samir Ujkani, Alan Mannus was brought into the club at the end of season 3 as a capable understudy to first choice Jason Brown. Despite getting the #1 shirt, he's yet to make his first team debut.

Name: Antonio OJEDA (regen)
RMR Squad Number: 13
Position: GK
Signed: 28/02/09, £7,200 Wage Auction

RMR Bio:

Young Peruvian Antonio Ojeda is seen as an excellent long-term contender for the first choice goalkeeper spot. Having previously started for Villaviciosa United, Aarhus FC and FC Mancunia, he has so far only appeared for the RMR U21 side.

Name: Jason BROWN
RMR Squad Number: 19
Position: GK
Signed: 29/01/09, £74,750 End-of-Contract auction (Ze Fuehrers)

Real-Life:

Former Gillingham legend Jason Brown is a short-arse goalkeeper who makes up for his lack of height by having some of the best reflexes in the game. Currently plying his trade at Blackburn as second choice behind Paul Robinson, he has also picked up a few full international caps for Wales.

RMR Bio:

Arguably the number one target for RMR manager Law Martin from day one, Jason Brown finally joined up with the Riot after his contract at Ze Fuehrers expired at the end of season 2. Since then, he has established himself as the first name on the teamsheet, his reflexes frequently called into action due to the side's attacking tactics.