Having dominated the football management simulation market in the 1990s, like Manchester United in the Premiership, Championship Manager has faced stern competition in recent years from the Chelsea-esque Football Manager. But mirroring the famed league, the old incumbent is back to attempt to reclaim the top spot.

And while Championship Manager 2007 is a worthy contender, it’s lacking the class and fun elements to really make it a serious challenger to the gaffer of soccer simulations, Football Manager 2007.

For a start, the matches get rather boring, with the visual highlights mode still being flawed due to the tiny graphics and dubious artificial intelligence. You’ll soon start flying through them, which defeats the point of having them in the first place.

Second, it tries to introduce too many features, such as the Prozone mode that ideally should detail your team’s strengths and weaknesses, but ultimately becomes really tiresome.

But if you hanker after endless stats and slow-paced gameplay, then you’ll find much to enjoy in this year's update.

Also consider:
Football Manager
Tinker with tactics and bawl out your players

FIFA 2007
A typically good looking and sounding football game but, unfortunately, Fifa '07 is no real improvement