For me, focusing on core features was the most important things to do.
Even if there is no online game anymore, they could add it back in the future.
I understand bad reactions, but if you think about the restricted development team / the money to spend carefully (even more after the great news of the NHL Licence) / and the wishes of majority (who play I guess offline), that was 100% logical and smart to take that decision.
I will buy the game, and I'm sure I will enjoy all the improvements a lot.
Thank you OOTP for all the hard work on FHM3.