We all think we can do better than our teams manager, you know the kind of thing “Why the hell is he playing him” or why are we playing that formation” well LMA manager 2003 gives you the chance to manage your favourite team testing out your formations, tactics and skill to guide the team of your choice to greatness or disaster.

LMA manager 2003 introduces a fresh design, intuitive control system and dynamic presentation of information and statistics to the football management genre on the Xbox. LMA Manager 2003. LMA Manager 2003 is the only football management title available on Xbox that enables you to watch the on-pitch action and make tactical changes and substitutions throughout the game. Players are also able to shoot from the dug out via a quick button press based on what they see happening on the pitch.

Gameplay:
The leading console football management sims come to xbox with fully updated stats, players and clubs from around Europe. Players take on a career in club management never looked so good. LMA Manager 2003 puts you in the driving seat of teams from England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland and Spain.

Players select you team and away you go, LMA Manager features an easy to navigate control system and allows you to do practically anything from team formation, tactics, training, advertising, ground development, control sponsorship and advertising, hire and fire staff and players.

LMA Manager also allows players to actually watch and control their team, change formations or tactics to counter your opponent’s real time and in-game. Managers also have available a shoot function allowing them to change the teams style and tactics during the game at the press of a button. Don’t forget Management isn’t only about each game but you also need to keep an eye on your training programs and rotate your players in and out of the squad and substitute bench to suit yours and the players needs.

Before each game you are able to select you squad and set your tactics, listen to reports from your scouts on your next opponent, vital information can be obtained from these reports and you can adjust your tactics and formation accordingly and giving your team the best possible chance of winning each game.

If you take on the role of manager of a lesser team, check out the excellent player search facility and transfer system featuring 17000 players, select your choices wisely and don’t blow you wage budget and all your cash on one or two big name players, after all a player doesn’t make a team!!!

Longevity:
Realistically there can be no end to this title, the game goes on and on and perfection from one season to the next is never an easy thing to achieve!!! Run a couple of teams don’t just manage one of the bigger teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, Man U etc try and bring your small local team up through the leagues and into the premiership or a cup victory, not only is it a challenge but it will also take hours and hours of pure genius management !!

Round Up:
All in all LMA Manager 2003 gets a big thumbs up, Taking on the role of a lesser team such as Brighton and trying to guide them to glory with restricted budgets and resources is such a challenge and will take several attempts before you get the balance right to work up the leagues and to ultimate success.

Pros:

• You’ll be playing till the early hours once you get started
  
• In game footage
  
• Easy to navigate and control
  

  Cons:
  

  • Limited control of finances and budgets
    
  • In-Game footage could be sharper
    
  • Dug out commands seem to have little effect