games-pc championship manager 3 User Manual
INJ
When the indicator is red the player is injured and cannot be picked for your side. An orange Injury
Indicator signifies that an injured player has resumed light training and can, in an emergency, be
selected for your side. If you have no choice in bringing an injured player back into the side earlier
than you anticipated, you run the considerable risk of the player’s injury worsening or a new
injury occurring.
Indicator signifies that an injured player has resumed light training and can, in an emergency, be
selected for your side. If you have no choice in bringing an injured player back into the side earlier
than you anticipated, you run the considerable risk of the player’s injury worsening or a new
injury occurring.
SUS
The player is currently suspended and is unavailable for selection. To view details of the player’s
availability, click the Injuries and Bans options on the relevant player’s information screen.
availability, click the Injuries and Bans options on the relevant player’s information screen.
WTD
The player has attracted the attention of another club and been added to that club’s shortlist of
players. At some point in the future this attention may result in an offer being made for the player.
If possible, make sure that if you want to keep the player, that his contract is up to date and prevents
him from being poached by other clubs with the exploitation of existing contractual clauses, such as
the big-club release clause. To check out which teams have expressed an interest and are looking
at the player, go to the relevant player’s Transfer screen.
players. At some point in the future this attention may result in an offer being made for the player.
If possible, make sure that if you want to keep the player, that his contract is up to date and prevents
him from being poached by other clubs with the exploitation of existing contractual clauses, such as
the big-club release clause. To check out which teams have expressed an interest and are looking
at the player, go to the relevant player’s Transfer screen.
BID
A bid has been made for the player which you are in the process of negotiating or considering.
YEL
The player is one yellow card away from suspension in the competition of your next fixture.
RET
The player has announced that he intends to retire from the game at the end of the current season.
INT
The player is currently away on international duty and is therefore unavailable for selection in your
next match.
next match.
FGN
Each competition is different, but across the footballing world there are restrictions on the number
of foreign players that may take to the field for any one side. To find out the restrictions for your
next match, click the Next Match options from the Squad screen.
of foreign players that may take to the field for any one side. To find out the restrictions for your
next match, click the Next Match options from the Squad screen.
INE
The player is ineligible to play in your next match.
If you are a novice manager then a good tip would be to use the pre-defined tactics to see how your side initially
performs and exactly which of the formations and instructions work best for your side. However, to bring your
players and team to their fullest potential you will, sooner rather than later, have to go into creating your own
specific tactics.
performs and exactly which of the formations and instructions work best for your side. However, to bring your
players and team to their fullest potential you will, sooner rather than later, have to go into creating your own
specific tactics.
Overview
A complete overview of your side’s current formation is shown in this window together with indicators on each
individual player’s movement within that formation, which is illustrated by arrows. To move a player’s position
within your formation, click and drag the player’s circular indicator with the left mouse button to his new position
before releasing the mouse button. Any changes that are made to player positions and/or player movements are
also made to the shape of your formations within the With the Ball and Without the Ball Options.
A complete overview of your side’s current formation is shown in this window together with indicators on each
individual player’s movement within that formation, which is illustrated by arrows. To move a player’s position
within your formation, click and drag the player’s circular indicator with the left mouse button to his new position
before releasing the mouse button. Any changes that are made to player positions and/or player movements are
also made to the shape of your formations within the With the Ball and Without the Ball Options.
Whilst the overview screen gives a manager a clear guide to his team’s overall formation, more precise
alterations can be made to the team formation and each individual player’s movement, at certain times of play,
by using the With and Without the Ball options.
alterations can be made to the team formation and each individual player’s movement, at certain times of play,
by using the With and Without the Ball options.
With the Ball / Without the Ball
On each of these screens the field of play has been divided into twelve zones, six per half of the pitch. By clicking
with the right mouse button into any of the areas, you can view how your current formation is placed when the
play has entered that particular zone, either with or without possession of the ball. As with the Overview screen
a player’s position can be moved by clicking and dragging his circular indicator with the right mouse button. To
assist in your modification of the team tactics the Edit button contains a number of options to make life a little
bit easier for you and to create a degree of uniformity within your tactics.
On each of these screens the field of play has been divided into twelve zones, six per half of the pitch. By clicking
with the right mouse button into any of the areas, you can view how your current formation is placed when the
play has entered that particular zone, either with or without possession of the ball. As with the Overview screen
a player’s position can be moved by clicking and dragging his circular indicator with the right mouse button. To
assist in your modification of the team tactics the Edit button contains a number of options to make life a little
bit easier for you and to create a degree of uniformity within your tactics.
REFLECT
So that your tactics have a symmetry to them, regardless of which side of the field the
ball is in play; you can use the Reflect command on the Edit menu to reflect the tactical
formations that you have designed for one side of the pitch so that their identical
formation can be used on the corresponding zone on the other flank.
ball is in play; you can use the Reflect command on the Edit menu to reflect the tactical
formations that you have designed for one side of the pitch so that their identical
formation can be used on the corresponding zone on the other flank.
14
31
Hold Up Ball
If you have a side that is defending in deep it might be advisable to have a player hold up the ball whilst an
attack builds.
If you have a side that is defending in deep it might be advisable to have a player hold up the ball whilst an
attack builds.
Long Shots
It is useful to have a couple of members of your side trying for goal with long shots, particularly late in matches
when you’re trailing and are looking for any break whatsoever. Remember though to use a player with a good
shooting rating and to not have too many players attempting goal from long range and seizing chances that would
have been better taken closer to goal by your orthodox strikers.
It is useful to have a couple of members of your side trying for goal with long shots, particularly late in matches
when you’re trailing and are looking for any break whatsoever. Remember though to use a player with a good
shooting rating and to not have too many players attempting goal from long range and seizing chances that would
have been better taken closer to goal by your orthodox strikers.
Marking
A player’s defensive responsibilities can be set by determining their Marking option. There are three options
available for each player.
A player’s defensive responsibilities can be set by determining their Marking option. There are three options
available for each player.
ZONAL
The player will pick up those players within their own zone of the field.
NONE
The player is not required to mark anyone.
MAN
It is possible to instruct a player to man-mark one of your opponents. To man-mark the player
simply select the option and the name of the opposing player you wish to be marked. If you
select the Opposition option, then the player will pick up and mark the player most appropriate
to his position, for example, a centre-half would mark an opposing centre-forward.
simply select the option and the name of the opposing player you wish to be marked. If you
select the Opposition option, then the player will pick up and mark the player most appropriate
to his position, for example, a centre-half would mark an opposing centre-forward.
CREATING OR MODIFYING TACTICS
Championship Manager™ 3 is supplied with a number of ready-made tactics. You can choose to use these
without modification or you can alter them to define your own unique styles of play and formations.
without modification or you can alter them to define your own unique styles of play and formations.
The tactics can be changed through the use of the three formation viewing options, which vary in degrees of
complexity and the level of control they exert over the exact playing style of your side.
complexity and the level of control they exert over the exact playing style of your side.
WPM
The player is currently ineligible due to them not having a valid work permit.
CUP
The player has already appeared in this year’s competition whilst playing for a different club. As a
result, he is deemed to be cup-tied and unavailable for selection in the particular competition until
the following season.
result, he is deemed to be cup-tied and unavailable for selection in the particular competition until
the following season.
LOA
The player has been made available to loan. To find out more about loan players, go to the Player’s
section of this manual.
section of this manual.
LST
The player has been transfer-listed. For further details on the transfer listing of players, go to the
Player’s section of this manual.
Player’s section of this manual.
UNH
This indicator signifies that the player is unhappy at the club. You might already know why, if not
check his Player Information screen for an indication as to the reason for his apparent discontent.
check his Player Information screen for an indication as to the reason for his apparent discontent.
CTR
The player’s contract has expired and he can move to another club regardless of your wishes. Decide
as soon as is possible whether you want the guy to sign a new contract or just wait for him to go
and join someone else. Clicking the player’s name at any point in the game and from any screen will
take you automatically to that player’s information screen. For a detailed breakdown on player
information, head for the Player’s section of this manual.
as soon as is possible whether you want the guy to sign a new contract or just wait for him to go
and join someone else. Clicking the player’s name at any point in the game and from any screen will
take you automatically to that player’s information screen. For a detailed breakdown on player
information, head for the Player’s section of this manual.
PLAYERS
Championship Manager™ 3 offers a detailed breakdown of every player included within your own particular
game. To access a player’s screen click his name wherever and whenever you see it appearing in the game. Each
player screen allows you to view a wide range of details pertaining to the player from a breakdown of their
abilities to a detailed history of their professional career to a complete list of the injuries they have suffered over
the years.
game. To access a player’s screen click his name wherever and whenever you see it appearing in the game. Each
player screen allows you to view a wide range of details pertaining to the player from a breakdown of their
abilities to a detailed history of their professional career to a complete list of the injuries they have suffered over
the years.
30
15
Playing Positions
Each player has at least one position in which he specialises. In Championship Manager™ 3 a player’s primary
position is shown at the bottom of the player’s screen. Sometimes however large your squad, it is the case that
you will be forced to look at playing one of your players outside of his primary position. A player’s Adaptability
rating will help you ascertain if the player is indeed capable of playing in a different area of the field as will the
player’s normal position.
Each player has at least one position in which he specialises. In Championship Manager™ 3 a player’s primary
position is shown at the bottom of the player’s screen. Sometimes however large your squad, it is the case that
you will be forced to look at playing one of your players outside of his primary position. A player’s Adaptability
rating will help you ascertain if the player is indeed capable of playing in a different area of the field as will the
player’s normal position.
For example, an attacking midfield might perform as well as a striker and you may not notice any difference if
you play a defensive midfielder as a centre-half. However, it is unlikely that a defender will do well up front or a
striker setting the world alight in his new role as goalkeeper. It is dependant on the ability of each individual
player and your ability to identify them.
you play a defensive midfielder as a centre-half. However, it is unlikely that a defender will do well up front or a
striker setting the world alight in his new role as goalkeeper. It is dependant on the ability of each individual
player and your ability to identify them.
Player Profile
The Player Profile screen gives a breakdown of the players’ ability over a wide range of playing attributes. Each
area of his play is awarded a figure between 1 and 20, with 20 as the highest value. For example, a player might
have a workrate value of 1 and a creativity rating a lot closer to 20. Make good use of the ratings for each player
in ascertaining how a player can work to his best advantage for you and your team.
The Player Profile screen gives a breakdown of the players’ ability over a wide range of playing attributes. Each
area of his play is awarded a figure between 1 and 20, with 20 as the highest value. For example, a player might
have a workrate value of 1 and a creativity rating a lot closer to 20. Make good use of the ratings for each player
in ascertaining how a player can work to his best advantage for you and your team.
Also on the Profile screen are details of his appearances over the course of your current season and his
preferred foot; a most important consideration when considering where to place the player in your team and
how to get the optimum performance out of him. His last five performance ratings are also included so as to
determine his current form.
preferred foot; a most important consideration when considering where to place the player in your team and
how to get the optimum performance out of him. His last five performance ratings are also included so as to
determine his current form.
Injuries and Bans
News of the player’s current availability is provided by this screen with details of any forthcoming or pending
suspensions, as well as details of any current injury and the amount of time that the injury will take to heal.
News of the player’s current availability is provided by this screen with details of any forthcoming or pending
suspensions, as well as details of any current injury and the amount of time that the injury will take to heal.
Contract
Details of the player’s current contract can be viewed from this screen.
Details of the player’s current contract can be viewed from this screen.
Pass to
This setting specifies which area of the field the player will pass to. If, for example, you want the ball played out
wide to the left, simply specify select the Pass To Left option for those players whom you want to pass out to
the left.
This setting specifies which area of the field the player will pass to. If, for example, you want the ball played out
wide to the left, simply specify select the Pass To Left option for those players whom you want to pass out to
the left.
Attacking Set Pieces
Use this option to send players forward for free-kicks and corners. This command can be useful to order that
towering centre-half of yours forward for set pieces.
Use this option to send players forward for free-kicks and corners. This command can be useful to order that
towering centre-half of yours forward for set pieces.
Defensive Set Pieces
Selecting this option will bring back players when defending against free-kicks and corners.
Selecting this option will bring back players when defending against free-kicks and corners.
Free Role
Rather than have a player working within the strict formation and instructions you have set for your side, it is
possible to have a player operating in a free-role on any part of the pitch.
Rather than have a player working within the strict formation and instructions you have set for your side, it is
possible to have a player operating in a free-role on any part of the pitch.
The most useful player to give a free-role to would probably be your most creative midfielder or an attacking
midfielder. Alternatively, you could convert a central defender to a sweeper by giving him a free-role, just
remember to provide cover at the back when he moves up field.
midfielder. Alternatively, you could convert a central defender to a sweeper by giving him a free-role, just
remember to provide cover at the back when he moves up field.
Forward Runs
Players that have this option selected will make forward runs when your side is in possession of the ball and is
useful in increasing the number of players in attacking positions. However, don’t let yourself get caught short at
the back by having too many players going up into attack.
Players that have this option selected will make forward runs when your side is in possession of the ball and is
useful in increasing the number of players in attacking positions. However, don’t let yourself get caught short at
the back by having too many players going up into attack.
Run With Ball
If you think that you have a player capable of running forward with the ball and taking on defenders, then this
option is worth considering. However, like forward runs, if you allow too many players to run with the ball, you
run the considerable risk of leaving your defensive and midfield areas exposed.
If you think that you have a player capable of running forward with the ball and taking on defenders, then this
option is worth considering. However, like forward runs, if you allow too many players to run with the ball, you
run the considerable risk of leaving your defensive and midfield areas exposed.
16
29