Author: Chris Fuller

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 10

Published on by Chris Fuller

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Welcome back to Naples – and to the fourth season of my Championship Manager 3 series!

Despite a shaky end to the 2000/2001 season, Napoli secured a top-six finish, which means we have some European football to look forward to this time around! Can we now emulate the 1989 team of Maradona, Careca and Ferrara by bringing the UEFA Cup to the San Paolo?

Of course, there’s a long way to go until we can even dream of reaching another Final. In today’s chapter, we’ll look at my summer transfer business, and then we’ll get the new season underway. Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 10” →

Retro Review: FIFA Manager 13

Published on by Chris Fuller1 Comment

I’m reviewing another retro football management game today on Fuller FM… and it’s time to wrap up a ‘mini-series’ that has been three years in the making!

Back in May 2021, I reviewed a bunch of games in the FIFA Manager series that was published and developed by Electronic Arts. I continued the retrospective with another review a year later. Since then, I’ve been looking to finish it off by playing one of the final games in the series.

And now that time has come. We’re going back to the 2012/2013 season – when Robin van Persie was about to deliver one more Premier League title for a retiring Sir Alex Ferguson, and when Liverpool were in the full throes of their ‘banter years’.

So here it is. It’s the final chapter of ‘EA MAY’ – my retro review of FIFA Manager 13. Continue reading “Retro Review: FIFA Manager 13” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 9

Published on by Chris Fuller

This is Season 3, Part 3 of “Canzone Napoletana” – and it’s perhaps the biggest chapter of this Championship Manager 3 series so far.

Midway through the 2000/2001 season, it looked like Napoli were on track for an impressive Serie A and Coppa Italia double. But just two miserable months later, and the Partenopei are under severe pressure just to stay in the European places!

Several questions will be answered in this season finale. Will a change of tactic deliver a change in fortunes? Can a misfiring Gabriel Bordi rediscover his golden touch? And when will Sebastien Frey learn how to use his gloves properly? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 9” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 8

Published on by Chris Fuller

Here we go again. Time for the latest installment of my Championship Manager 3 nostalgia trip!

Last time out, we kicked off the 2000/2001 Serie A season at Napoli. Much has been expected of our new signings after a busy summer in the transfer window, but some of them haven’t quite delivered the goods yet.

We now pick things up in November, with the Partenopei facing a battle to stay in the European spots – and another battle to keep their Coppa Italia dreams alive. Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 8” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 7

Published on by Chris Fuller

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I’m now into season 3 of my Championship Manager 3 series with Napoli. Where does the time fly?

After storming through Serie B in my first season, the Partenopei didn’t take long to establish themselves back in Serie A. Sadly, a woeful run-in meant that we missed out on Europe and could only finish in 10th place. Unless you’re one of the three people who’ve already read Part 6 (thanks, Twitter), I’d suggest you do that now.

Bringing continental football back to the San Paolo has to be our main goal for the 2000/2001 season. Can some quality summer reinforcements bring that dream closer to reality? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 7” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 6

Published on by Chris Fuller

I’m coming to the end of the second season of my Championship Manager 3 series. It hasn’t been the most thrilling campaign, but thanks to the second-greatest Argentine striker ever to play for Napoli, the Partenopei are all but certain to survive their first season back in Serie A.

Can it get even better, though? Please join me for the last few games of the 1999/2000 season, as Napoli bid to secure a place in European competition! Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 6” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 5

Published on by Chris Fuller

Welcome back to my Championship Manager 3 story, where I will be aiming to take Napoli back to the top of Italian football.

After securing promotion in 1998/1999, the previous chapter saw us kick off the 1999/2000 season in Serie A. Results haven’t been too bad, but our supporters are perhaps getting frustrated with our pragmatic tactics. And to be honest, so am I.

Will things get any better over the next few months? Read on… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 5” →

Review: We Are Football 2024

Published on by Chris Fuller

Some people in the Football Manager community like to lament that FM “has no competition”. But while it has indeed been a long time since Sports Interactive have had a serious rival to their crown, perhaps that might be about to change?

Having recently become disillusioned with FM, I’m now hoping that this title from Germany will win me over with its slim-lined, strategic and less serious approach to football management. Three years after making a promising debut, is it now ready for the first-team?

We Are Football 2024, this will be your day. Continue reading “Review: We Are Football 2024” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 4

Published on by Chris Fuller

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My Championship Manager 3 series with Napoli is now in full swing, as I’m about to kick off my second season at the San Paolo!

In the previous chapter, the Partenopei secured promotion from Serie B as champions. We will now kick off the 1999/2000 season back in Serie A, where this once-great club belongs.

Today’s installment will take us through the summer of 1999, as several new faces arrive in Naples before we begin our quest for top-flight consolidation. Will that be easier said than done? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 4” →

FM Mythbusting: More Common Misconceptions

Published on by Chris Fuller

Three years ago, I wrote an article that explained nine common misconceptions with Football Manager. For example, I stated the ‘wonderkid’ tag has much more to do with a youngster’s current ability than their potential, and that having a higher xG than the opposition doesn’t mean your team played better.

Of course, there are still some things about FM and football that many players – particularly new ones to the series – don’t fully understand. So I think it’s time to look at a few more of these… Continue reading “FM Mythbusting: More Common Misconceptions” →