Manager in Mexico '86

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A few months ago I was introduced to the delights of football management on the BBC Micro, and have often frittered away a few hours moving up and down through the divisions.

But now, in Mexico '86, the ultimate challenge has been offered me, that of managing the England football team and guiding them safely to Mexico.

Actually the path begins with a couple of friendlies against France and Russia, followed by the South American tour.

At the end of these first matches the squad is assembled and ready to take on the qualifying group. Obviously some matches do not directly involve England, and these games are "played" by the computer, with a few strange results occurring.

At each England match the team and reserves can be selected, thus the formation of the team may be decided by the manager.

There are opportunities to make tactical alterations and substitutions, and the game is played out automatically on the screen by 22 little men moving up and down the pitch in a reasonably realistic manner.

There are five levels of play, and further interest may be introduced by the inclusion of more dimensions for the computer to interrogate the player's choices.

When England eventually qualify the position is saved on to a blank cassette, which is then loaded into a second program dealing with the final stages.

These follow an authentic pattern, although there is a disappointingly short message when the trophy is eventually won.

The sound effects are rudimentary, but can be controlled, while the graphics are quite acceptable for a program of this complexity.

Apart from the point at which qualification is reached, there is no other option to save the position, which is a glaring omission.

Otherwise there's plenty to keep the football fan happy until Mexico '86.

Pat Hillery