So what's new in this years exciting version of Football Manager? Well firstly lets state that SI have not altered too much in the area's that already work really well. The training, transfers and the in match graphics for example are all very similar to last years offering. And we agree that not changing some aspects of the game can only be a good thing, as football manager is by far the most impressive and popular football management simulation available today, SI knows what works and what needs working on.

So on to what actually has changed. Firstly your players have become a little more like people. They react a little more to results, performances and to what you as the manager say about them. This also affects how they perform on the pitch. Now you not only have to know what your players are like as footballers but you you have to know them as people in order to get the best out of them. In relation to this the media involvement has been increased. You can now say more specific things about your players to the press. Something a little more than just praise or criticise the players.

What has become known as the most requested feature for FM2007 is the introduction of Feeder clubs to the game. Now you can ask your board of directors to associate a feeder relationship with another club and will search for available and appropriate clubs for you to choose from. If you are a small club then your board will look for a club who will sent youngsters and loan signings to you in order for them to get first team experience. If you are set up as a big club them the reverse is true, you will be looking for a club who will play your players who you need to get match fit and gain experience.

The scouting system has also been improved. Your scouts will get better and have a better knowledge of players as they watch more games. Team talks also have a little more depth added to them and also a pre-match team talk feature has been added to allow you set some of the right mentality in your team before the match starts. Be careful though as the wrong words can have a disastrous effect on your teams performance on the pitch.

A touch more realism has been added to the board room that you may not really like, but anything that adds realism has to be good right? Well in this addition to the game the board can over-rule you on transfer decisions if they feel it would be better for the club. In other words if the board requires money and you have assets that clubs are prepared to lay hard cash on the line for, then you may be seeing you star players saying goodbye to play for better clubs. But be rest assured at least you won't be going bankrupt.

So do you buy FM2007? I expect that you have already decided you will, even if its only for the fact that all the new players and clubs are in the right team and league again, and you will need the same version as you mates in order to play against them online, or over a network. If you don't have a football management game yet, then the choice is easy. Football manager 2007, may not be as flash as some football management games, it may not have the graphics, but it is the most in depth and captivating football management game available or that has ever been available.

(Click pics to enlarge)

Features of Football Manager 2007

• Feeder Clubs - Brand new to Football Manager 2007, and one of the most requested features on Sports Interactive’s forums has been the addition of feeder clubs to the game. This new addition works in all the ways you would expect it to in real life. You can establish your club as the small team who receives loan players from a larger club or a large club looking for support getting your youngsters match experience by loaning them out. Have the first option on players from clubs, and schedule pre-arranged friendlies each season by simply asking your board for a feeder relationship and choose from the list they compile.
• Youth Revamp - A complete revamp of youth teams sees full youth squads for each team that has a youth set-up, thus giving a much better system for the regeneration of players in the long term game.
• User Friendly – Football Manager? 2007 gives players a new easier to use default skin, along with hints and tips throughout the game, and an improved tutorial. In addition to better feedback from your assistant manager and scouts as well as lots more media, customisation and multiple row selection, all this adds up to the most user friendly Sports Interactive game ever.
• Scouting Revamp - A complete revamp of the scouting system inside the game leads to more information about players and teams being made available to managers, as well as a more realistic methodology for player scouting. This system allows scouts to grow and improve their knowledge-base of the world’s football players.
• Player Interaction - You can now talk to any player in the world via the media. Player interaction allows you to tap up other teams stars or see if players will buckle under the pressure. An effective manager must use the media as a motivational tool - why not praise your own players in many different ways or shout at them for loss of form?
• Team Talks - For more varied ways to talk to your team, SI have worked hard to deliver vastly improved team talks at half and full time. Not only this, but pre-match team talks will now be making their first appearance in Football Manager - so you can send your team out onto the pitch with a specific briefing.

System Requirements For PC and MAC

PC

Minimum: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, 1GHz processor, 128MB RAM
Recommended: Windows XP, AMD or Intel Dual Core 2GHz, 1GB RAM, 1024x768 32Bit display, 650MB HD Space

Mac

Minimum: PowerMac/PowerBook: PowerPC G4 1GHz, Mac OS 10.3.9, 256MB RAM
Recommended: PowerMac/PowerBook: PowerPC G5 2GHz, Mac OS 10.4.7, 1GB RAM