I remember all the emotions every time a new version of Championship Manager 3 was to come out, I remember how exciting it was with the revolutionary number four, I remember the numerous question marks which were surrounding the premiere of the first Football Manager made by SI Games. And what kind of emotions can we talk about before FM 2008 shows up in shops? None!

Sports Interactive dig themselves a deep and cosy hole, from where they release another versions basing on the engine from Championship Manager 4. Of course since that time a lot has changed, however it has been four and a half years, which in the virtual world means ages. For comparison we can mention that such a period divide CM3 and CM 03/04 and every fan of SI Games' managers know how big a difference it is between these two.

I must admit, I did not install the demo version of Football Manager 2008, even though I did decide to download it in the first phase of excitement. But I came to a conclusion that it is a waste of time to check out a few new additions and I would rather continue on with my FM 2007 career. A list of bugs in the demo which was published soon after convinced me that I made the right decision.

It is true however, that in the previous years SI Games has been making great improvements, but not in the changes in the game, but rather in the aspect of marketing of the game. Surely it is mostly thanks to the help from the new publisher, Sega Europe. Official website of different game versions, trailers, TV commercials, everyday news presenting different aspects of the new manager and lately even podcasts. They all would be quite attractive additions if not for the fact, that the culmination of all those fireworks is... not that good. For example, a revolution in Football Manager 2005 was supposed to be the "mind games", which was a rich interaction with media, which would have effects on our players' mental side and so, on our results. With FM 2006 we all impatiently waited for talks with our players during matches and FM 2007 was supposed to get to us because of expanded scouting. In reality, most of the novelties were very sketchy and schematic and at moments you could get an idea that the creators of (still) the best manager that exists were a bit lost in the dark, not knowing what they were doing (e.g. when changing tactical regulations for teams, or when setting up training schemes). Unfortunately, we are also starting to get slight concerns regarding the game's realism, a proof of which would be managing the national teams or medical elements of the game.

It is because of these reasons that I am coming up to FM 2008 with great distance and did not decide to spend my time on the demo version. Especially that testing the Sports Interactive's manager with a game which lasts only half a year is completely pointless in my opinion. It is just impossible to grade the level of "schematism" of the game, the transfer system, scouting, managing of national team etc.

I would not like this article to be purely negative and get you away from buying Football Manager 2008. I myself have already ordered the game, which was mainly due to the attractive offers presented to us by CD Projekt. Thanks to the 20zł off when buying in pre-order, plus 30zł of virtual money on gram.pl, I was able to buy the game for 49,90 zł (plus sending cost) and it is not a form of advertising, but a pure surprise from my side. Of course, the sand in the eye is definitely the fact how late the game is going to appear in Poland, even though the three extra weeks of waiting do not make such a large difference for me. I am also optimistically looking at the new elements which are implemented in FM 2008, but it is just not enough for me!

Translated by Reaper