Miles Jacobson started life out at Sports Interactive as a tester. However, his love of Watford led him on to a researchers role before too long, while still squeezing in the time to make the first data-updates for the SI website.

With the game growing and growing commercially, Miles was soon helping out the Collyer brothers, creators of the series, with the business side of the operation. And when Ov Collyer decided to head down under for a break from game development, and brother Paul living in Sweden, Miles admits himself that the move to MD "Just kind of happened".

With the release of Football Manager 2007 now confirmed for before Christmas, we try and find out some of the secrets from the expert…

Q. It's been another busy year - two new platforms, a pub quiz machine, and the success of the game itself. Can you pick out one highlight for us?

One highlight is impossible! There have been so many, with the ones you mention, and becoming a part of Sega, 16 weeks at no.1 in the UK, colleagues weddings, new SI babies, new games in development, and FM2007 as well. It's been an amazing year, and one with many memories.

Q. What's the message about FM 2007 to newcomers to the series?

That it's easier to use than ever before. Along with the game being the most realistic management game to date, with over 100 new features, the interface, improved tutorial and hints and tips throughout the game make it easy for people who've never played one of our games before to get into.

Q. For the more experienced gamer, how has Football Manager 2007 come on in the last year? Which new features will have fans salivating over their keyboard?

We haven't announced that much yet, and there will be loads more features being announced throughout September, but I can confirm that feeder clubs are (finally) in the game, a whole new scouting system, including a knowledge-based system for quicker scouting as the game goes on, a revamp of the youth system in the game and player interaction for any player in the game - both in your squad, and other teams.

There are lots of other things as well - it is a massive step up from our previous games.

Q. Have you been playing much FM on Xbox Live? Are there any developments on this side of things?

I played it a lot before release, and just after the game came out, but haven't been on there for a couple of months now, mainly because I've been testing FM2007 and a friend staying in my living room, which is where my X360 is!

Q. And FM Handheld; can we get a sneak preview of one of the new features?

Hmm. How about network play? Will that do? You can now play one-on-one friendlies against your friends (or enemies) using teams from either the start of the game, or from your cherished saved game.

Q. As a developer you're famed for listening to your fans, what are the main new features you've included in FM 2007 to satisfy their shouts on the SI Forums

Quite a few of these haven't been announced yet! Feeder clubs, the new scouting module and player interaction all came from requests from the message boards though. As always, the community is the driving force behind the game.

Q. Tell us some more about the new pub quiz machines? Surely this is going to appeal to football fans across the board?

I hope so! The game is live on the GamesNet network already, and going live on ItBox very soon. It's a full on festival of football trivia, the idea being to score more goals than you let in by answering questions about the whole world of football. It's only in the UK for now, but should be in 20,000 pubs, bars and sports clubs very soon.

Q. Personally, what is your single favourite feature on FM 2007?

Of the ones that we've announced so far, despite them all being really cool and quite big features, it's actually the ability to multiply select players and take action against them all at the same time, so transfer list a bunch, or promote a bunch to the first team squad. It just saves loads of time!

Q. How has the sale to Sega affected the way the men in SI Towers work?

For the main dev team, it hasn't affected things at all. On the management side of things, there's been a little learning to do due to different accounting practises and the like, but it's all good, and not different at all. Everyone treats us the same way, and we treat everyone the same way too, but we've had a good relationship with Sega for a long time, so it shouldn't change anything at all.

Q. The last time we interviewed you things looked bleak for your beloved Watford so we opted to avoid the subject. What a turn around?

Yes, amazing. Aidy Boothroyd is doing a great job, and he manages to get extra out of the players. Time will tell whether we stay in the Premier League or not but I can't argue with how he's doing.

Q. How do you think you'll fare in the Premiership? Naturally the pundits are predicting a struggle

From the first 3 games I've seen that we need to learn how to appeal - it seems to be the only way to win games! We haven't looked out of place, but only have 1 point, so we just need a little luck. And, if not, at least the club is less likely to go bust!

Q. You've got £20m to invest on The Hornets - how do you spend it?

Set up an international scouting network for a couple of million, give Aidy 8m to spend on some of the players the scouts come up with. We've actually got a good young squad, and it would be unfair to be buying stars to replace them, so maybe some back up players with a bit of experience to help the youngsters really blossom, or more good young prospects. The other £10m would go into the bank to earn interest in case we go back down and don't come back up again!

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