The FM series constantly evolves, it is like a pyroclastic avalanche, its phenomenon is unstoppable. It is like stagflation turning into an inflation, and the faithful fans still hope that it will not turn into a hyperinflation. Changes are necessary, for the competition in the market is fierce, and expectations are raised higher and higher with each version of the game. While we are waiting for the FM 2009 train, I invite you, my dear Reader, to spend a few moments at my very own station. This metaphor is not an accident, as more often than not a bus stop or station is the only place where we have at least some time for reflection. I present to you my new article series: A hypochondriac's train station.

This is how I started my first article of the series, which was a few months ago. We now know how the FM 2009 will look (more or less), and all the changes an novelties in the game have been presented to us in an article by jakubkwa. It is supposed to be a ground breaking game, meant to pave the way for further development of FM series and to leave us in no doubt as to who the king in the market of sports management games is. Will that be the case? I will certainly try to answer this question – after the game goes on sale.

A 3D view of the pitch is to become a cornerstone of SI's success this year. Let me quote the first Station article again: The only thing that can be put forward in defense of a 3D view is... marketing purposes. Certainly, such a new implementation is bound to attract prospective new FM buyers and fans. But is that all that matters? What about the specific 'feel', the 'climate' of the game?

In FM, apart from graphics and music – which are fairly easy to measure in one way or another – you have got something which quite escapes any category, namely – playability, this 'thing' that makes you want to play and which to me is a force that keeps you glued to the computer. And I'm afraid that shifting the emphasis from the player's imagination to graphics will cause this 'glue'' to weaken substantially.

Having looked at the first set of FM 2009 published screenshots I'm confident that they have chosen the only right course of action. Yes, they decided in favor of the 3D match view, but at the same time they made it to be a yet another tool of tactical analysis for the manger; it's definitely NOT a colourful graphics and special effects loaded interface designed to amaze teenagers, as I had feared it might be. Consequently, the graphic quality of a 3D view won't make you gasp in awe; we have to remember, though, that even without it the game already requires a lot from our computers just to get it running. If, then, what you are after is the best sharpness and contrast, your nearest HD TV selling department store should be the port of call. A shadow of the stadium stands on the grass is a nice touch of realism – it's not much, but I like it.

It would seem that, thanks to a wide ranging possibilities of rotating the camera we'll be able to single out many details of the game (e.g. that our sweeper is marking a tall striker or that our play maker is being man-marked) much quicker. So far, I preferred to imagine these, and other situations (like fouls and tough one on one play), rather than to see them. But at least now we will be sure if the referee was right or wrong. Apart from detailed viewing of the situation on the pitch, we will be able to see the replay of every important piece of action, thanks to a special on screen tool bar. The 2D view will remain in place, but who needs it when there will be 3D? Imagine using the text only commentary when you have the 2D, is there anyone out there who plays using just the commentary ? (Well... actually there is. I don't use the 2 D view. Sol) Soon the little dots moving around the pitch will have become just curiosity.

There is another novelty, which to me seems to be utterly unnecessary – going further into the development of our relationship with the media means that we will spend more time preparing press conferences rather than focusing on actually managing the team. When playing the FM I already find it hard to escape those inquisitive and mean journos, and after every single game I am pestered by questions such us whether I will be able to keep an up-and-coming star in my squad. What kind of a question is that? Of course I am going to keep him. Do they think I have invested money into the lad just to let him go for nothing?

I am expecting a lot from the manager's in – match – support module. If my assistant really helps me crack the rival team's tactics, if he gives me their weaknesses and at the same time warns me whenever our game becomes predictable – then I think I will gladly dish out the money on salaries for best coaches. I prefer investing cash in the coaching staff rather than into sky high wages for spoilt football stars anyway. Paying sometimes more than 10 million for a player whose value is eventually going to fall and whose wages might ruin my budget is, in my view, an irredeemable mistake. Whilst having top training facilities and a youth academy is... well, to me it is priceless, maybe because I can rarely afford to have one.

We will also have the opportunity to teach our not necessarily old dogs some new tricks with the ball. At last we will be able to nurture a perfect winger, a genius playmaker or an out and out striker. I just wonder how long it will take and what prerequisites our player will have to learn the given trick. I don't suppose it will be possible to tell the Conference player to 'try to play spectacularly' or 'make a laughing stock of your opponent by dribbling past them'. After all, we have to know our place.

Finally, there is something we've all been waiting for – an upgraded match engine. I tested it, so I know what I'm talking about. It seems that not only will FML not hinder the development of FM 2009, but that it will even support it. Thousands of users will now test new options, and they will pay to do that. Well done SI, you know how to make living. Perhaps this year we won't have to wait till February for FM 2009 to become playable. Let's hope so!

I never trusted my scouts. But FM 2009 can bring us the peace of mind in that respect. I'm on about the Trial Day. It can be a source of success and wealth. Young footballers will surely do their best to impress us on the day, and attention given to them may one day reap us handsome rewards. We will see if you can pick a good footballer when you see one. At the same time, this feature can well turn out to be a failure. Nonetheless, my appetite has been whetted...

My gut feeling tells me that FM 2009 is going to be the best FM ever. I'm pretty sure about that. It's not the quantity of new options, but their quality – especially that of the match engine, which is the essence of play. If the players are reacting to the instructions, if the rational and taken from real life formations do work, then everything will be fine. I really liked what I saw. I liked especially the option of adding new leagues during the game; unfortunately, as I'm told, to my dismay, by jakubkwa, this option will only be available in FM Handheld.

I have never been so excited by the prospect of new FM like I am now. I have already given the game a huge benefit of the doubt. Who knows? Maybe the SI finally realised that FM 2008 had been bug-ridden. But it is not to be so this time. So that we can enjoy our game even more. Each and every one of us. I hope I won't be disappointed...