The idea of the computer managers making realistic decisions adds something extra to the game. It becomes ever more playable. It adds a vital element of competition to the game. Computer teams’ performances are now based on a whole host of factors. Imagine this scenario: The team you are in charge of approaches the last game of the season needing victory to avoid relegations. You select your team and modify your tactics etc. The computer does likewise. You lead 20-1 with a minute to go. The computer team then scores a last gasp equaliser to condemn you to relegation to division two. Surely it is important that such a crucial moment during gameplay is as a result of a complex input of true-to-life factors (team selection, captains, subs, tactics, playing style etc.) rather than the equivalent of a throw of a dice?
USER GUIDE PAGE 19
PLAYER FACTFILES
The player’s factfiles can be called up virtually every time a player’s name appears on the screen (e.g. player goalscorers tables, squad lists, transfer list etc.). Simply point and click on top of their name.
The factfile screen gives vital information about the player. The following information is displayed:
BASIC INFORMATION
AGE Obvious
CLUB Obvious
PREVIOUS CLUB Club he was at before current club
CONTRACT Gives week of season that contract expires. The week refers to the week stated at the top of the main menu screen. (e.g. 12/5 => contract expires week 12, season 5)
WAGE Weekly wage.
FUTURE
Unknown – Player is open to approach but not on the transfer list
Staying – Definitely not for sale.
Listed – Was placed on transfer list by his club.
Listed R – Was placed on transfer list at own request.
VALUE If the player is transfer listed, the value shown is the fee that his club is asking.
If the player is not transfer listed, the value shown is an estimated value – estimated by the coach. (See "player valuations " section)
POS The positions he can play at (G, D, M, A).
SIDE The side he plays at (R, L, Centre).
USER GUIDE PAGE 20
PASSING Accuracy of passing.
TACKLING Accuracy of tackling.
PACE How fast he is.
HEADING Ability to head the ball.
FLAIR The potential to do the unexpected.
CREATIVITY The skill of creating goalscoring chances.
^Relative strengths and weaknesses, e.g. how Passing compares with Tackling etc.^
AGGRESSION A hard man or a wimp?
INFLUENCE How well he influences / help his team mates
AVAILABILITY Whether injured (& type of injury etc.), or suspended. Also indicates match fitness, and whether picked (& shirt no.)
APPS No of appearances.
GOALS Goals scored.
DISP Disciplinary points gained (Booking 5pts, Sending Off 20pts)
AV R Average match rating
MIN R Minimum match rating
MAX R Maximum match rating
^This information is available for the current season being played, and the last season.^
MORALE Long-term morale
FUTURE PLANS The player’s loyalty to the club. Does he want to leave?
At the top right of the screen are a number of other options:
STA used to adjust a player’s transfer status (i.e. whether listed etc.)
BUY used to approach a player
ADD used to add a player to a shortlist.
USER GUIDE PAGE 11
STRATEGIES
The manager must select a formation and style of football to suit the squad he has.
His formation must be a compromise; it must provide enough attacking play, without leaving his defence too vulnerable. He must be able to adjust it to suit different opponents.
His team should be balanced there should be players both on the right and the left. He must be able to modify his tactics to deal with different circumstances (e.g. 2–0 down with 20 minutes to go).
The manager can choose from the following contrasting styles of play:
CONTINENTAL STYLE Slow build up with sudden lightning fast attacking moves. Requires players with technical ability.
CLOSE PASSING STYLE Fast, intelligent passes to feet. Defence rapidly transformed into attack.
DIRECT STYLE Balls played directly to players in attacking positions, e.g. instant through balls etc.
LONG BALL STYLE Long high balls played to forward players. High accurate balls
UP-AND-UNDER STYLE Ball booted upfield towards goals for forwards to chase. A less attractive style of play. Opposition kept under pressure from aerial bombardment.
When he selects his team, the players selected must be suitable for the role they are to play in the team. The manager must consider the skills required for a certain playing position within the framework of a certain style of play. His captain must have qualities usually associated with being a captain.
Return to Chapter 1
HIT THE NET
There are many, many places online where you can watch, read or talk FM. Those below have all been helpful in the production of this book and we recommend them to you.
SPORTS INTERACTIVE
http://community.sigames.com/
The home of the friendly and diverse FM community, who were so helpful in producing this book.
FOOTBALL MANAGER:
MORE THAN JUST A GAME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm-w4EsgLhY
This is one of several FM documentaries on YouTube but we were impressed enough to ask the film maker, Stephen Milnes, to help us out with this book.
CRAP MANAGER
www.crapmanager.info
The home of a fundamentalist sect exiled from the Sports Interactive board who play the game the hard way. Very nice people.
FM SCOUT
www.fmscout.com/
There are many alternative sources of information, opinion and downloads. We like this one a great deal.
THANK YOU!
Football Manager Stole My Life is the result of an almighty team effort. Like any successful club, our squad was methodically assembled with specialists in each position.
Each and every one of the players in ‘There’s Only One Tonton Zola Moukoko’ deserve a 20 for Bravery, for being gracious enough to get involved and, in some cases, have a laugh at their own expense.
Special thanks go to African football expert Gary Al Smith (@garyalsmith) for ensnaring the lesser-spotted Nii Lamptey, and to Rob Middleton (assistant news editor at Northamptonshire Newspapers) for talking us through Justin Georcelin’s troubled, short-lived career. Sports journalist Vegard Fl. Vaagbo (@RBFlemma) was our Norwegian knight in shining armour – hooking us up with Tommy Svindal Larsen when all hope looked lost – while Champ Man addicts Omar Smarason of the Icelandic FA and West Brom’s Chris Hall, amongst others, bent over backwards to offer their assistance.
We’re also grateful to the head researchers – the hustle behind the SI muscle – for offering an insight into the cloak-and-dagger world of scouting.
The response we got from fans of the game when we asked for your stories was extraordinary. It is greatly appreciated, even if your story didn’t appear in these pages.
Sports Interactive were generous and supportive without good reason. Particular thanks go to Paul and Ov Collyer, Ciaran Brennan, Alex Bell and Stuart Warren. We took up more of the incredible Miles Jacobson’s time than we should have, yet he never said so. And the closer we got to his and SI’s staggering work for charities, the more impressive it became.
Iain Macintosh would like to thank his beautiful wife Rachael for putting up with him and for eventually accepting that three weeks of Championship Manager 2001/02 was actually a very necessary part of intensive research. He’d also like to thank his daughter Matilda for being awesome.
Kenny Millar would like to thank his Mum, Lorna for never once begrudging or interrupting a crucial
Championship Manager session during those idyllic childhood days in Campbeltown, John Martin for introducing him to ‘The Game’ in the first place and Jeni, just for being Jeni.
THE WRITERS
IAIN MACINTOSH is a freelance football writer for publications and websites in every corner of the known universe. He is also one of TEAMtalk’s Football 50, their list of the top voices on the game to be found on Twitter – judge for yourself @iainmacintosh
KENNY MILLAR is on there too @kenny_millar and by day he is a sports writer with The Sunday Post in Scotland. He is also a veteran of the Battle of Townhead, a brutal weekly five-a-side game between Glasgow’s football writers and the closest contemporary Scotland comes to modern warfare
NEIL WHITE is one of three sports journalists who formed BackPage Press in 2009. This is the third BackPage title and they have many more planned. Don’t miss a trick by following @backpagepress or finding them on Facebook
Football Manager Stole My Life Page 20
