xperteleven.com

Xperteleven.com is a web based online management game currently boasting an impressive 280,000 signed up members.

The game is free to play although a (quite cheap) 'VIP' package is for sale at €7 Euros for 3 months with longer periods getting a slight discount. You can buy this through paypal and this then unlocks new features.

The customer service is good with prompt helpful replies to all site queries, which the leagues are run by mainly users, so that can vary depending on the individual.

The game runs on the 'Econ' currency which a team earns through participating in sponsors questionairres, posting in the 'press room' and random events.

This currency is then used to buy players (obviously money can be earned selling them too), train existing players, each of whom has a current form rating as well as an overall skill rating, and buy match reports about forthcoming opponents.

The transfer market is a simple, highest bid wins system. Where all players for sale can be centrally searched.

At the basic level, the game allows you to arrange your (pre-provided) team into one of a fairly comprehensive list of formations. However, players are listed rather basically as 'Goalkeeper', 'defender', 'midfielder' or 'forward' meaning there is no scope for playing such things as wing backs, holding midfielders etc. Once again the tactics are basic, you can choose to play the game offensively / defensively, tighten the wings/centre as your defence, and pick a formation to defend against, change how hard you tackle as a team, or if you attack once again through the centre of down the wings.

Each player in turn has 'special skills', such as being a free kick taker, which you can use during the game.

You can communicate with other managers using the mail service built in to the site, through press releases in the press room, and in the forums which the site hosts, one for each league.

The most disappointing aspect of the site is match day. The games are run at a set time, chosen by your league admin, however there is no interactivity. Subs are chosen entirely by the computer to replace injuries and there is no ability to do a tactical sub. The game is either presented with important info and the result on a web page, or you can watch the game in flash with commentary.

There is a large league structure which basic members can manage 3 teams in, one in the 'official leagues' run by the site admin, 1 in a private league and one in your own personal league you can set up. Each league either has 2 league or 1 league and 1 cup (depending if there's a cup) game per week. Friendliest can be arranged to fill any spaces.

As a VIP, you have access to more stats to use when selecting your team, can make direct transfers between yourself and other VIP members and have access to VIP leagues which can have more games (up to 3 a week) as well as numerous other features the site advertises, far to numerous to list here. The VIP status is cheap and on balance is good value for money.

A shop is also available with branded merch at typical prices. The VIP packages are fairly instant delivery as they are purely online. The site is based in Europe, so a warning for all UK users, as well as the currency used being euros, the site runs an hour ahead of standard UK time, so careful you don't miss your matches!!

Overall this site is a fun experience, which is quick to dip in and out of. You can spend as little or as much time on it as you want, and if you manage a few teams, the time mounts up. However, it's no replacement to traditional games such as Football Manager 2008, but it's a decent distraction.