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TMGi - Rob Mclean

Tuesday 20th January 2009

Hi Rob and welcome to TMG! Lets start with the usual so people can get to know you a little better. Give us the lowdown on "Rob Mclean"; how long have you been playing PES, what made you start, what other sports do you play, what else are you doing in life at the moment?

I started playing on PES4. I was die hard FIFA up till then when my mate brought it up.

It felt so much more fluid and realistic and just made me want to play it a lot more. I guess it just made me want to play it! Unsurprisingly I play football in real life! Or at least I did till last week. Im the captain of a small five a side team with my mates but tore knee ligaments last week so thats off the cards for a few months at least which I am gutted about. I work as a bar man in a local club and Im working hard towards an Economics and Management degree which is taking up a lot of my time right now, so much essays! I go out a lot with my flatmates and friends a lot too. I guess Im just your normal guy! Oh and Im having a party for my 21st on Saturday, cant wait!

You will be returning from a one year suspension at the beginning of March, how does it feel to be able to throw your name into the hat again and what are you big objectives for this year?

That was the biggest farce in the UK PES scene ever. But its over now so Im just looking forward to playing again. I dont really have as much time to practise anymore but I have already learned the base of the PES games so I still feel sharp when I do play and Im really hungry to win some big tournaments. My main aim for this year is to re-establish myself as the number 1 player in the UK and one of the best players in the world. Its also important for me to play the right way and win in style. This year I am using Man Utd and playing the same formation as always which focuses on rapid counter attacks and clinical finishing. It might be hard to win the official UK title entering nearly 7 months into the season but as long as my results between now and August are matching the best players then thats all I can hope for! Every competition I enter, I want to win and I want to win in style. Too many of the top UK players play for what I would call cheap play and it rubs off on those who look up to them. I hope I can help change this when players see me winning things with good football.

How does PES09 compare to the previous versions, what do you like about it and what dont you?

I think its really good. But removing manual goalkeeper was a huge blunder. It has allowed players who get through on your goal to just run round your goalkeeper without you being able to do anything. The other thing I dont like is the advantage rule, its a bit weak. What I do like is that its PES and the core gameplay remains. The core gameplay in PES is very strong and realistic. The off the ball movement, the passing, the shooting. Its all perfect for me. Its a good game but I think if manual goalkeeper was still included then it would be as good as the best PES games which for me were PES5 and PES6. Without manual goalkeeper its still a good game but falls a little short as that is such an important factor in the top level of PES especially.

As a former Euro Champion people will undoubtedly be waiting your return to see how good you are at the moment, have you got a message for your opponents? Are there any "special" rivalries?

My message is the same as always. If I am here, I am here to win. I probably had particular rivals in the past but I dont see anyone as my main rival anymore. I have matured a fair bit over the past 12 months and the only persons performances I will be focusing on are my own. If I play to my potential, nobody in the UK can get close to me.

I am sure you had a number of offers on the table, what swayed your decision to join TMG?

TMG are the right team for me, simple. I had offers from established teams and I did talk to fnatic about rejoining them but I decided TMG were the best team for me. I already knew protex from before, he was my team manager at ESWC and was a big part of my decision to join fnatic. He is one of the managers I trust and know to be honest. From what I have seen I think TMG also has the same core values as me too and thats important. Its something fresh and its something I think is going somewhere, I want to be a part of it.

Any particular events you are really looking forward to for this year?

Yeah, apparently the PESRankings stadium tour is coming to Rangers football stadium in Ibrox. I have won events in Arsenal and Boltons stadium but I would love to play at Ibrox. Im a Rangers supporter and that would just be awesome.

On a global level in terms of tournaments it seems that FIFA is the more popular game, have you ever considered trying your hand it that instead of PES?

No. I am really good at FIFA but I wouldnt play the game solely for the money as tempting as it can be. A guy who used to play PES who was a top 20 player on PES beat the UK FIFA champ 4-0 in a final recently so it can be done. Its not for me though. Besides, PES has a fair number of tournaments popping up. We had a big one at the gameland thing with the biggest prizepot and last year there was the 50k tournament that caused me my dispute! I am sure more big tournaments will follow, maybe even ESWC.

OK so now over to you, is there anything else you would like to say; any comments, suggestions, tips, challenges you would like to throw down or shoutouts to people?

I just wanna get playing really and do my best to represent TMG well.

Shoutouts -

Thanks to everyone who has helped me in the past. Most recently 2gd and Joe Miller who managed me in fnatic. Really top guys who I will always be thankful to.

PESFan ESL league - The best league I have had the privilege to play in.

And my 2 flatmates Todd and James who play plenty of games offline with me!

Other than that, just anyone who has kept faith in me and continues to support me. I will win again :)

Protex

Philip Wride

1
Keenan Posted 20.01.2009 - 14:41 pm
Nice report =) Glad they never dodged the suspension question either.

But wheres the shout out for the Scottish PES scene :p
2
stoned_father Posted 20.01.2009 - 14:53 pm
Rob i'm heavy kicking ur ass this year J-time all the way. :P
3
Denver Jackson Posted 20.01.2009 - 16:00 pm
Well done Rob contrats fella :)
4
TmG.Ovi Posted 20.01.2009 - 19:30 pm
nice stuff good luck Rob
5
Javax Posted 21.01.2009 - 01:41 am
can't wait to smash aberdeen after celtics humiliation!