Pre-ordered it for next week.

I believe Commish has too, anybody else?

What do you all reckon, start up a new challenge on receipt of the game?

Hows about the French League - Le Championnat (I watch it at 7am every Saturday morning on Ch 4).

Bordeaux sound good?

Next week ???

I heard release date was delayed until 4th November?

Hope not, I ordered today, and said it should be with me on release date - 21st October.

Rules for challenge, I suggest 4 signings per season - more than usual, but reckon that is good for first couple of challenges.

It allows room for an error and means you can experiment with a signing or two, and suss out more players for future challenges?

But you say you watch French League - Le Championnat - well I had better set my alarm for 7am then!

French football on a high at the moment, is it?
Lyon seem full of skilled players.

Good league with many strong teams, Lyon, PSG, Marseille, Nantes, St Etienne, so difficult games each week for Bordeaux, reckon it will be a good challenge.

Bordeaux make fine red wine.

Bordeaux seems a fine challenge for new FM game.

Count me in!

Smashing, I now away to sit at my front door and wait on the postie delivering my new game! See you all in 7 days....

I'm back, it has arrived!!

OK, so looks like me, Alcopops and the Commish are on for this challenge!!!

4 players in per season maximum (which includes loan deals).

Let's get it going...

new game out today - UNOFFICIALLY ofcourse! :-)


Miles Jacobson - Sports Interactive MD - going crazy about huge PC World advert in todays Sun newspaper

Can anyone who has purchased FM06 today please do me a favour, and take a photo of the game, with the receipt - email address - "piracy(AT)sigames.com"

Don't worry - you won't get into trouble, as it's not your fault that some stores are breaking the street date

I am considering banning PC World from future sales of Sega/SI/FM titles.

Right into this already and 4 signings made from the £5.5m transfer budget.

Not a large squad to work with, but got Denilson signed on longer contract right away!

Purchased:-

Douala - right winger from Sporting
Ericsson - attacking mid from Aab
Cygan - central defender from Arsenal
and loan signed Zonneveld - left back from NAC Breda

Won 1st league game 1-0 v Metz - some great new features on this game, but I will let you all find them out yourselves!

Yes, so far so good.

Sitting 4th in the league and fans and board are happy.

Title odds were 40/1, so I will settle for a place in Europe in season 1.

Got my hands on FM06 at HMV there. 29.99 seems a fair price.

Bordeaux you say. OK

Now, 3 hours and counting 'til I play this masterpiece!

Sitting 5th in table and struggling a bit
but decent challenge
although game runs a little slow, so I need to remember to choose less active leagues at start up next time.

Finally got my nose in front at the top of the table, Monaco ominously only 1 pt behind with 25 games played in Feb-06. Came through a tough January schedule with Douala, Chamakh and Afanou all at the African Nations tourney!

An early exit from the League Cup, but still in the French Cup with a tough tie away to Lens to follow.

Undoubted star men from original squad are Darcheville and Chamakh over 30 goals between them already by February. Denilson and Rame also performing well.

Of my signings Douala is slightly disappointing so far - however Cygan has been solid at the back, Ericsson quality in midfield, and Zonneveld a reliable left back - although Marange the youngster is making him fight for his place.

Good challenge so far anyway!

Well Monaco proved just a touch better than my Bordeaux.

Was 6 pts behind with 3 games left, then beat Monaco away from home to get it to 3 pts with 2 games left. However a woeful draw against 20th placed Nancy at home, meant that Monaco's next slip by losing their 2nd last game didn't cost them. We both won our final fixtures (me with a 94th minute penalty away to Metz!) So finished in 2nd, 2pts behind Monaco.

As consolation I beat Le Mans 4-2 in the French Cup Final.

PS Awarded £11.5m for finishing 2nd in French League!!! And signed a new £20k per week 3 year managers deal.