Championship Manager 2007 (PS2)

The lowdown:
Since 1993, the Championship Manager series has been the most popular football management game in the world - for a while it was the best selling PC game of all time in the UK! Ever since original developer Sports Interactive left to work on Football Manager for Sega though it’s never quite been the same. This new version is a definite improvement on last year’s game though, with a brand new interface that’s arguably better than any of its rivals. As well as the new Match Analysis Tool there’s also a new team talk feature and the chance to give individual instructions to specific players. The accuracy of the database of players still doesn’t come close to that of Sports Interactive, but it’s still far from second division.

Most exciting moment:
The new Match Analysis Tool is probably the game’s biggest new feature, with a truck load of statistics to examine at the end of every match, for not just the game itself but every individual player involved. Not all of it is always useful but it certainly does help when deciding what changes to make to your side.

Since you ask:
After Sports Interactive left the series, publisher Eidos set-up their own brand new development studio just to work on the Championship Manager series. Named Beautiful Game Studios, the team is based in Wimbledon with their own in-house research team for player statistics.

The bottom line:
Second best is still good enough.-HARRISON DENT

Key changes include the ability for managers to now design their own set piece drills on the tactics pitch and then utilise them in a match. They can also interact with their team by providing stirring words to motivate them before and during matches, and with the advanced media system, how the player reacts towards the press, players and other managers, can mean the difference between them becoming a media darling or on the end of the next hate campaign.

The new game also provides several Challenge Modes as well as the traditional 20-season play mode. Plus, behind the scenes, there is also a huge backroom staff of improvements including; comprehensive new transfer system allowing intricate player negotiations, innovative and dynamic news and media system, comprehensive player and club data, a refined match AI system and the introduction of two new English leagues; Conference North and South.

Dealing with every facet of real-life football management, from team tactics and training to negotiating record transfers, Championship Manager 2007 is the perfect way to realise your football management potential and take your club to ultimate glory.

Championship Manager 2007 has a completely new look with new skins, menu shortcuts and a dynamic side bar, all ensuring that every gaming taste is catered for. The introduction of an International Management option enables players to manage their country and be a part of the biggest football tournament in the world.

An innovative new Match Analysis Tool is an `under the bonnet` reveal of statistical information relevant to every player and every game including; goals scored, runs made and shots/passes/tackles made or failed. This offers each manager a true representation of the information on offer to top flight football managers.

Managers will now be able to praise and criticise players in a brand new team talks feature and give individual instructions to players either pre-match or at half time and receive staff feedback on performances. Plus behind the scenes there is also a huge backroom staff of improvements including transfers, negotiations, news, media and pre-match build up along with player and club data accurate up to the closing of the August transfer window, a refined AI system and the introduction of two new leagues: Conference North and South.

Championship Manager 2007 allows you to manage your club to glory, dealing with everything from tactics and training to transfers - everything you would expect a real-life football manager to do without owning a sheepskin coat.

• Updated Data - Player and Club data accurate to August Transfer Window
• 2 New leagues Conference North and South, and a comprehensive update to player, staff, club, league and confederation data.
• Updates to code and data side of competitions and countries that have changed since the January 2006 transfer window.
• Technical Match Analysis Tool (Prozone): An under the bonnet reveal of all that the players are doing in the match. Tackles, passes, shots, runs all are viewable with statistical info