Bumper FM Community Digest

Blooming heck its been a while hasn’t it? I’ve got a whole host of updates for you from the past week, a number of new sites and even one site which I forgot to mention just before I left, which isn’t really getting the attention it deserves.

Although this is going to be a very, very, very, very long digest, the snippets concerning each article are going to be very small, simply due to the fact that there’s so many of them and I want to go to bed sometime before Monday. A quick skim through the list before me says I have 40 items to bring to your attention, if I have missed anything out, I’m sure you can understand why, feel free to leave a descriptive comment so others can check it out and I can include it next time. (this was started early yesterday, so anything written in the past 24 hours won't be included)

Football Manager 2008 FAQ

As always when a new version of Football Manager is announced a lot of questions are asked. I’ve found answers for some of the most asked questions.

(you can also check out the Football Manager 2008 Announcement and the FM 2008 Screenshots)

Why no mention of Football Manager Handheld or Football Manager on Xbox 360?

Those announcements will come later in the year.

Why are there no match engine screen shots?

The match screen isn’t finished yet. When it is, there will be shots of it.

What are there no screen shots of non-UK teams?

For licensing reasons. They will come later.

Why are all the screen shots in English?

All the text is written in English, and then translated, so the non-English language text isn’t in the game yet.

Will other information be given out about the game before release?

Yes – there are going to be blogs and pod casts that will give more information and more depth of information about the announced new features, and some of the smaller unannounced ones. (Like this one)

Why is the game only being released on XP/Vista for PC?

To ensure Vista compliance, some things had to be changed that could cause problems with older operating systems. As the makers of those systems no longer offer support for them, neither do we.

Is the game being released in ?

If the game was released officially in your country last year, then it will be this year. We are trying to get more digital download opportunities for people based in countries where it’s not sold at retail.

Where can I buy WWSM08 in America?

You will be able to get the boxed game from amazon.com, like last year

Football Manager 2008 Screenshots

(Remember to check out the Football Manager 2008 Announcement and the FM 2008 FAQ)

Football Manager 2008 Announced

(Remember to check out the Football Manager 2008 Screenshots and the FM 2008 FAQ)

Football Manager returns before Christmas packed full of new features for fans of the much-acclaimed series from Sports Interactive to feast their eyes on. Football Manager 2008 is out on PC / Mac this autumn, and offers football fans the chance to take on the greatest job on earth; manager of there favourite football club!

Although an official release date has yet to be announced, you can find out more simply by going here and inputting your email address.

Football Manager 2008 is set to be bigger, smoother and more in-depth than ever, it's packed full of so much newness it could well take a lifetime to discover every new feature. So we asked Miles Jacobson, Studio Director at SI Games, to take us through some of the changes you'll want to hear about most...

Transfer Center - A new way of managing all current transfer and loan bids for your club, both incoming and outgoing, making it easier to compare bids and reject or accept them.

Finance Revamp - Sports Interactive have updated the finance area of Football Manager 2008 to better reflect the ever-changing modern football world. More information is available to the manager too, including, but not limited to, corporate matchday income, season ticket news, investment funds, improved sponsorships, collective win bonuses and the ability to move around funds from the wage budget and transfer budget (and vice versa) at any point to help you in your quest for the ideal squad.

International Management - The international management gameplay has been completely revamped for Football Manager 2008, including, but not limited to, media improvements, international retirements, player interaction, international scouting, improved national pool selection, captain selection and a separation of international and club morale for players.

Match Flow - The largest change to matchdays in a Sports Interactive game since the introduction of the 2D match engine. Match flow brings more atmosphere to matchdays with match previews, team talks, opposition player instructions, the match itself, half time and post match now seamlessly following on from one another. There's no more pausing to make tactical changes and you'll find a mini-radar pitch whilst making those tactical changes to keep you in touch with what's going on in the match.

Confidence - You can now easily tell what your board and supporters think about your performance in the game through the new confidence section. This gives you feedback not just on your current progress in competitions, but also your financial management and signings.

Easier to Use - A much cleaner skin, a brand new advisor system to help you through various areas of the game, a new notes and notebook system, better button positioning for simpler navigation and an updated tutorial and manual. Also, coach reports to make taking over a new team easier and a new calendar system - which lists all important dates throughout the season - help to make Football Manager 2008 the easiest Sports Interactive game to use yet.

Fan Days - The board can now arrange fan days to boost ailing attendances, or for matches that are likely to attract a low crowd, with a long-term affect to attendances if all goes well.

Awards Overhaul - A full overhaul of the awards system inside the game, which is not only more accurate but also includes new awards, such as the European golden boot and a 'best eleven', which shows the all-time (in-game) best XI for all teams and nations.

Match Engine Improvements - A greatly improved match engine, once again utilizing the footballing brain of Ray Houghton and other tools used by real-life managers, to make the most accurate simulation of football in a computer game even more like-life than ever before. Oh, and the ability to change the pitch dimensions at the start of the season to suit your style of play better.

Expanded Media - More media and feedback than ever before, plus more detail in existing media, and a new competition news section to find out what major things are going on in all league competitions.

Regenerated Player Photos - All in-game regenerated players now have pictures using FaceGen technology to give each player more personality. This gives the ability for players to be seen to mature and grow-up looks-wise in front of your eyes as the game is going on.

Speedyfastier - Saving and loading is now significantly faster, with network gaming quicker and smoother to play, as well as tactical changes and match reports being faster than ever before.

FM2007 Tactics

Blooming heck its been quite a while since the last update, but hey it was a bank holiday weekend, being stuck in doors isn’t fun, then again neither is being stuck out doors when it’s freezing, hmmm what a conundrum. Anywho there is friggin’ loads of content, so I’m going to rattle through it at record time and see if I can get finished before Loose Women comes on!

First up Miles Jacobson one of the head honcho’s over at Sports Interactive has had an indepth interview with an Xbox magazine

Check it out / Rate it

Following on from CM Frenzy’s creation of a special database which puts the Premiership XI from last season into one squad and see how they fair in the Premiership. The site has come up with a short story of exactly how the all star side got on, if you’re interested in such experiments, make sure to check it out now!

Check it out / Rate it

CM Frenzy also have two more updates in their series of tactic tests with Bolton Wanderers. In the first test Bolton throw caution to the wind with a very attacking 3-4-3 formation.

Find out more / Rate it

In the second test a more defensive minded 4-3-3 formation was adapted.

Find out more / Rate it

FM Britain have a couple of updates in their long running and fantastic series of tactical articles as well as two other articles looking at making money from your players come the end of the season and a mini rant aimed at the coaches and assistants which inhabit FM2007.

Tactical Bible - Marking Systems / Rate it

Tactical Bible - Mentalility Systems/Mindsets / Rate it

"Jaime Torrado is a decent member of our squad" / Rate it

Making extra money from your players / Rate it

FM Fusion have a couple of player reviews to help you on your way to building the ultimate side in FM2007.

Jonathan / Rate him

Martin Petrov / Rate him

Marek Jankulovski / Rate him

FM Player are following in the player review trend with a look at Nigel Reo Coker in FM2007.

Nigel Reo Coker / Rate him

Manager Crisis have their first piece of content in a while, with a look at the joys of playing in the Scottish Lower Leagues in Football Manager 2007.

Check it out / Rate it

Throw In have a new article up looking at the joys of being patient in FM2007, with a lot of emphasis put on the downfalls cheating in FM2007 brings.

Check it out / Rate it

Being the gaffer is finally starting to take off as two new sites have been launched aimed specifically at the two sides participating in the challenge. If you’re involved with either the Domingo Saints or Lyndhurst Wanderers, then make sure to check these sites out.

Domingo Saints

Lyndhurst Wanderers

FM Updates have released yet another Data Update for FM2007, you can find it available for download right here at the FM Portal.

Download the latest FM2007 Data Update from FM Updates

Ultimate FM2007 Tactics

Well apologies for the erm… crapola nearly a week without an update, well a working week anyway. I’ve been a busy little bee and if this was a personal blog I’d tell you all about my tumultuous times staying up until 3am playing Mario Kart and pigging out on Ben and Jerry’s, but instead you’re stuck with discovering the latest news from all over the FM2007 Community.

First up FM Wiki has had its second update in recent months with a look at the important qualities to look out for when looking for the best staff to hire in FM2007. With a mini section of the guide dedicated to each staff member including assistant managers, physio’s and scouts this looks to be one of the top places to look for help with hiring staff.

Check it out / Rate It

Being The Gaffer have set up a new FAQ explaining exactly what you (as a player in their game) can do.

Find out more

A new blog has also been set up in recent days (whilst I was away) called “Behind The Scene”. The site is aimed primarily at discussing the FM Community (in the same way this blog does, but in a more opinionated manner), here’s what the author himself has to say about the site:

“This site will be summing up all the pointlessness off the scene, in order to entertain and humour you into thinking the scene is actually good”

Check the site out / Rate the site

The site only has one article to speak of at this time, which comes in the form of an old fashioned look at whether the thousands of people who experience undying love for Football Manager, can be called passionate or just plain insane.

Check it out / Rate it

FM Britain have a fantastically in depth look at the MLS (that’s the top league in the USA). The depth in which the author has gone into, not only looking at the basic rules, teams and players you can find in MLS but also the rights of the players, intricate rules, the transfer system as well as the cups is just wonderful, not to mention it’s brilliantly written and entertaining rather than dull and boring as so many guides we find across the community are.

Cracking stuff!

Check it out / Rate It

That’s not all the good news from FM Britain from the past few days; they’ve also followed on from Footygamer in having a brilliant preview to the forthcoming FM Live. I’ve got to say I agree with a lot of what he’s saying, especially in regards the more hardcore/time elements (which I’ve been talking about for some time).

Check it out / Rate It

CM Frenzy have a great little FAQ to LLM, it’s short and easy to understand and something one would really expect to find on a side such as LLM Britain. None the less it’s nice that a nice little, user friendly guide such as this exists.

Check it out / Rate it

CM Frenzy also have one of the better shortlists I’ve come to discover on the community thus far, with a collection of 50 of the top youngsters from all over the globe, for you to fill your team with and take them to the top.

Find out more / Rate It

CM Frenzy also have a new custom data update which puts the English Premiership XI from this year combined with a few players from last years Premiership XI so that you can play with what is ‘supposedly’ the ultimate Premiership side.

Check it out

FM Player have a few new updates. First up is a nice little guide explaining how to make videos of your games in FM2007, this is great for recording your best goals to show to your friends.

Find out more / Rate the guide

Secondly FM Player has a new guide looking at the best Individual Player Instructions to give your players, in order to get the best out of them on the pitch. Each specific area of the Individual Player Instructions is looked at in some depth, so make sure to check it out.

Find out more about Individual Player Instructions in FM2007 / Rate the guide

There’s also a copy and paste job from Cammack’s old site, entitled “Just one more game mum”, which some of you may have read before.

Check it out / Rate It

FM Ace have returned after many, many weeks of downtime, nothing much seems to have changed, but lets hope the site sticks around a bit longer this time. There is a whole host of content from the site; I won’t bother going into each one individually…

Visit FM Ace / Rate FM Ace

Which is also true of Throw In, which has begun to bulk up its content levels in the past few days, far to much bulking up for me to cover that’s for sure. Although I do have some fantastic news, in the form of the re-release of the sites forums, after a few days of down time, without any losses whatsoever which is great.

Visit Throw In / Rate Throw In

FM2007 Mac and Australia Guide and EDT/DDT Files

Well a fair bit for you today, including a new site, which could be interesting although much like another site of its nature I fear for its long term survival, keep reading to find out more.

First up that new site I mentioned in the introduction... It comes in the form of the second Mac dedicated FM site to grace our wonderful community. Although FM Mac has never been all that big a site, bar its development of Mac save game editor, Mac Football looks to have the potential to be a real gem for the FM Community.

Despite only consisting of one article at this moment in time, the article itself is something quite special. It’s often than someone from our community can manage to put together something that’s both interesting and well written whilst also helpful and explanatory, but this piece, which focuses on cutting down on injuries in FM2007, manages to do just that, so kudos to the author for his good work.

I still remain sceptical as to how well the site will do, considering the limited fanbase Mac has in comparison to the rest of the community, as well as how hard it is to make a site successful out of nowhere as it is, but I’m looking foreward to watching this site over the coming weeks and seeing how they progress, I recommend you head over there and give them support also, they are only a small site which is bound to struggle after all.

Visit Mac Football / Rate Mac Football

http://footballmanagerportal.co.uk/fm2007directory/pop-ups/gotosite.php?sit_id=1228 preventing / cutting down on injuries

FM Player have updated with their first piece of content despite being open for what? A week now, it comes in the form of an old fashioned EDT and DDT guide for FM2007.

Read the EDT DDT Guide / Rate the EDT and DDT Guide

sortitoutsi have a very high quality piece looking at various aspects of managing in Australia in FM2007, ranging from an explanation of the general structure and make up of Australia, to squad limits, salary caps, transfer windows and even the Hyundai Australian Cup and Asian Champions League, everything you could possibly need to know to get managing in Australia is right here for your benefit.

Check out this ultimate guide to Australia / Rate the guide for yourself

And finally FM Formation have a new player guide looking at right back Ronald Zubar.

Visit / Rate

Ultimate FM2007 Tactics

Apologies for missing a few days yet again, although I do have a valid excuse this time around, it’s my 18th Birthday weekend!! I became a man three days ago on Star Wars day (May the 4th be with you!) and in all honesty should still be drunk, but I’m not, I’m here, just wasting some time before what’s hopefully going to be a cracking game between Arsenal and Chelsea, oh and we have a fair bit of content, which is great as ever.

First up, the little site that could, FM Pro are back after 2 weeks of down time with server errors.

Find out more

Next up an interesting article from FM Fusion and the first one in a while since the sites release, good to see it’s still going strong, unlike other sites which seemed to simply die after a day or two, e.g. FM Heaven.

The article itself is a bit silly in all honesty, I’m not even sure if it’s meant to be a joke or not, but not wanting to put to much of a dampener on it, it’s a tad pointless.

Basically the author attempts to convince you that using a skin that allows you to play a match in full screen mode can help influence your side as the pitch gets bigger, whilst the players stay the same size, thus meaning the players theoretically have a bigger pitch to play on.

This of course makes no difference whatsoever, as the match engine doesn’t accurately portray what’s going on, rather it just gives you a general idea of where the players and the ball are on the pitch at any one time. I mean can you ever tell if a player is standing up or kneeling down? Jumping in the air? Kicking with his left or right foot? Nope? Isn’t it strange how every player has the same physique? Yes, lets be honest the 2D match engine sucks and we shouldn’t take to much notice of it, the commentary gives a fair better description of what’s going on, the 2D match engine is only really good for showing whether or not your players are following your tactics/formation and how the opposition are lining up.

Visit It / Rate It

Secondly FM Fusion have two player guides looking at Real Madrid wing back Cicinho, as well as Aston Villa Wing Back Gareth Barry, respectively.

Cicinho Visit / Rate

Gareth Barry Visit / Rate

And finally from FM Formation you can find two team guides one looking at Italian side Fiorentina and the other at Spanish Side Sevilla, in all honesty they’re not all that helpful, infact they tell you next to nothing of use and considering there are already two guides looking at these two clubs in existence one wonders why some people bother.

Fiorentina Guide Visit / Rate

Sevilla Guide Visit / Rate

FM2007 Team Talk Hints and Tips

There’s a whole lot of new content again today, mostly from FM Formation, they’ve suddenly sprung into life out of no where and revitalised the community in the process… well okay… not really, seeing as they’re the only site updating but meh…

First up however there are two updates from other sites. FM Updates have decided to release their latest FM2007 data update as a torrent so as not to overload the Community Downloads Project with the thousands and thousands of downloads the data update has been getting.

Find out more

Secondly FM Pro has been down for a few days, this is because their hosting account has been cancelled I’m guessing due to an overload which can only mean the site has been, being successful right? Well alas it’s not all good, new hosting costs more money and they’re now begging for donations so if you want to help out, head over to the site now!

Visit the site and donate

Here’s a quick run through of the content from FM Formation:

First up a look at how to get Work Permits in FM2007. Visit / Rate

Secondly there are THREE pieces focused on team talks in FM2007, one would have thought they could have all been put together into one, but meh.

Half Time and Full Time Team Talks Visit / Rate

Pre Match Team Talks Visit / Rate

More team talk hints and tips Visit / Rate

Next up there’s some Barcelona related content with an in depth Barcelona team guide as well as an indepth although rather un-necessary considering his stature, player guide focusing on Brazilian ace Ronaldinho.

Barcelona Team Guide Visit / Rate

Ronaldinho Guide Visit / Rate

And finally from FM Formation there’s some transfer market tips for you to get your head around, enjoy!

Transfer Tips Visit / Rate

Download the ultimate FM2007 Tactic

I’ll be honest with you, I was preparing to moan a bit today, I mean I still could, perhaps another post is on the way? I dunno, Phone Booth is on soon and I’ve always been meaning to watch that, er… I mean, I have a life and stuff… being Saturday an’ all… yes… a life (fortunately the likelihood of you knowing what a life is let alone having one is small so I shouldn’t really have to explain myself!)

First up CM Frenzy have their second tactic test which looks at the 4-4-2 Diamond. I’m a tad confused as so far they’ve only looked at what Bolton’s average league standing should be, without any interference, so surely the next step would be to take a look at the standard 4-4-2 rather than the Diamond, or am I missing something completely?

Nonetheless, I won’t spoil it for you, to find out how Bolton got on in the Premiership with an Attacking 4-4-2 Diamond formation.

CM Frenzy Tactic Test Visit / Rate

FM Formation have a whole host of updates today, obviously from a new member to the site looking to make an impression.

There are four team guides available for your viewing pleasure, all of a reasonable quality looking at various areas within each individual club specifically, general team information, finances, expectations, affiliate clubs, an overview of the clubs history, the squad, the tactics and the youth prospects coming through, it’s all here, to help you succeed in FM2007.

Juventus Team Guide Visit / Rate

Man Utd Team Guide Visit / Rate

Newcastle Team Guide Visit / Rate

Fulham Team Guide Visit / Rate

There are also a number of competition guides. Two guides which are in all honesty rather brief and not all that helpful, really just a basic overview of the clubs within the respective leagues, detailing hidden information such as reputations, transfer budgets and star players.

Scottish Premier League Guide Visit / Rate

Spanish La Liga Guide Visit / Rate

There’s also a more indepth guide looking at the Turkish Super League as well as a brief look at how to achieve success in the English Conference.

Turkish Super League Hints and Tips Visit / Rate

Conference Success Visit / Rate