After playing SWOS '96 ('95? I don't think so) under the watchful eye of Jon Hare, for the best part of four hours, I didn;t need reminding but he insisted "This isn;t just a debugged version,"

After playing SWOS '96 ('95? I don't think so) under the watchful eye of Jon Hare, for the best part of four hours, I didn;t need reminding but he insisted "This isn;t just a debugged version," Jon enthused, "it's the SWOS we've always wanted to do. I just want to make that clear." Understandably so, for if the original SWOS was a Mars bar, then the '96 tagged on the end of this new one is truly the 'now even smoother' improvement. Only the improvements which have made SWOS 96 smoother aren't edible. Natch.

Just as two new summer signings revitalise a side, so do the couple of matchplay fetaures added to SWOS '96. Explode the myth that you cannot play a ball behind the back four, using the aftertouch control then eagerly watch as you split the defence in half, sending your attacker racing through with only the keeper to beat, before he unleashes a a powerful drive into the top, er, stand. Erk.

However the ball took a deflection and so it's time to swing in a corner to the far postand hope that someone gets a ......hang on, he just headed the ball! And sure enough, the action replay clearly shows your centre back timing his run to perfection and nodding the ball.....into the keepers arms. Pah.

As with most domestic clubs, each SWOS '96 squad now features reserve players and trialists, although their names are made up. But, before staking your reputation on young Billy Jones in a FA Cup Final, having never seen him play, it's now possible to watch him on the training ground prior to team selection in the 'B' team or alongside 'A' team regulars, either of which is an obvious advantage. Should Billy come up to scratch and make the team, his performance can be assessed with ease by singling him out from the rest of the team with a flashing symbol appearing above his head for the entire 90 minutes, or three minutes. Or however long.

MILLICHIP

Unless you appoint yourself in the ruthless position of manager (where it is essential to know the market value of your players), all players are now rated according to their ability by a series of stars and letters. Stars range from a small dark red star (poor) to a large white star (excellent) and the letters denote particular strengths such as 'H' for heading or 'F' for finishing.

A quick glance at the teamsheets will tell you that they've all been updated, along with the team's home and away colours. But whether Abdelaoui really does play for CA Batna is anybody's guess. Still, as long as the likes of Devon White and Paul Devlin appear in Nott's County's line up, I'm satisfied.

International football. Should you succesfully manage a top domestic club then you stand the chance of being rewarded with the offer to manage the national side and consequently choose your own squad. Sir Bert will allow you to pick Le Tissier, award your favourite Hartlepool striker his first international cap and replace ex-England boss, Terry Venables's daft Christmas tree with a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation. However, manage Notts successfully and Bolivia want your services. Great.

So, forget SWOS being awarded the highest mark ever in the history of all things (95% - AP44), SWOS '96 is not only better, it is the most fantastic game I have ever played. Apart from football. Natch.

Uppers

Aftertouch contro and headers mean SWOS '96 plays superbly while the new player rating system, scouting, reserve and trial players, training mode and international job offers are improvements not gimmicks. And they've debugged it. Honestly.

Downers

You are joking. Aren't you? (No. our teams not in it. - Ed)

The bottom line

I don't believe this will ever be beaten and cannot, therefore award it a less than mighty

96%