FIFA Manager 09

Electronic Arts' FIFA Manager series has been given the same kind of overhaul as its FIFA Soccer counterpart. As with its on-pitch cousin more attention has been paid to the actual game-day graphics and 3D engine and opposition AI.

This takes any residual memories of simple text-based management games and blitzes them - using a 5-3-2 formation with flying wingbacks that you have been able to acquire using the youth player transfer market if you don't have to cash to dip into the full pro market.

Communication between yourself and your staff has also been trained to a young Pele peak of fitness. There are now some 1,800 distinct communications available to the budding Harry Redknap or Sir Alex Ferguson. These are aside from the 400 answers available to you in your press conferences.

But it isn't all flashy graphics and constant chat. The text analysis system has been updated from FIFA Manager 08 with commentary options expanded and capable of being customised. This enables you to keep tabs on the opposition in real time on match day - a significant boon when considering purchases.

As if that wasn't enough information to keep players glued to the screen, the Story of the Season area has also been improved with 60 screens of detailed information for you to assess the performance of each individual squad member; always useful when it comes to contract renegotiations.

Once your team is in place you can get down to the serious business of team tactics and sorting out your line-up. Both these elements have been improved from 08.