Hi Rubber,
Just to echo Rubber's thoughts LMA is not only the biggest selling management game on console but its simply THE best management console game. I have been playing LMA since the very first one and I have to say that year on year it continues to get bigger and better.
Those who like to see the game played will love the 3D match engine you can actually watch the game and it gives a few camera angles to watch such as touchline view, duggout view and if you want to recreate the look of CM overhead view, which to be honest is better than CM's as you can still see tackles take place and players being tripped over by the opposition.
The stadium builder is brill, if you have dreamt of building your club the optimum stadium you can now do so and you can even call it what you want. The ability to improve your current stadium is also there as well.
If you dislike numbers then this game will be what you are after, when picking your team its simply a series of graphical bars (0 to 10). Comparing players is a doddle and to switch players from the bench to the team is simple. The overall GUI is one of the best I have ever used and although it takes a wee while to get into after about half an hour or so you will be whizzing through the options and won't even have to think about it, believe me if you give this game time it will grow on you.
It may appear simplistic and not as in depth as CM but if your looking for a game you can actually enjoy (well appart from defeats) then you will love this, its a simple pick up and play game. I have also had a look at the new game on the official site and the improvements are simply amazing, for the first time ever in the series you can now be sacked and can move clubs at any time during the season, this is a real first in the LMA series. OK in all honesty there are stuff that CM has that LMA does not like ability to play as a national team manager and of course the game only uses an initial and last name no first names. This appart there is very little to put off playing LMA, its simple to play but thats the beauty of it, you can save time pouring over a whole list of numbers and simply get into picking your team.
Another thing if your the sort who loves a hands on role you can train the team yourself, deal with club finances, deal with sponsorship or you can leave all of another manner of things to your highly paid staff. The game reflects well on real life so if you spot a player playing well in real life don't be afraid to gamble on buying a player, or better still send your scout out first to look at them,.
I would recommend buying LMA and before you know it you will be either jumping for joy or tearing your hair out as you either go on a winning run or as I did with Liverpool believe it or not end up in a real relegation dogfight. For the record I managed to get Liverpool relegated and received the sack not surprisingly, one of my friends who plays the game too has never let me forget it either. So go play the game, LMA 2003 is still available and is a great introduction to the delights of the game. Have fun.