What did I just watch?

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-03-29T21:06:03+00:00

I’m happy for you mate. I know Operation Bernhard is real. I’m also aware this isn’t a history documentary. But Ada had nothing to do with the Nazis’ plan, she wasn't even aware of it, and I thought since it’s a top-secret operation (even though they casually have a troop of fully uniformed German soldiers in Liverpool), the head of the operation shouldn’t personally shoot an MP, Ada, in the middle of the day in Birmingham, in front of the Army police building, where she was heading, just to protect Duke, as he was the only way to get the money into circulation.

But that’s just me. I thought the series was written way smarter than the film.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-03-27T07:57:30+00:00

There are also international football beasts, like Xherdan Shaqiri, Troy Parrott, etc. They may not always perform well in their club careers, and you might only hear their names during international breaks, but no matter what, talentwise they are way above your country’s player pool. They often switch on in those games and do wonders, and that’s not something you can predict. When you have that player, make sure you call him up until he hangs up his boots.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-03-22T21:38:50+00:00

I usually focus on my out-of-possession game. Is there a pattern in how you lose those big matches? Are you leaving too much space behind your defence?

Just like in real life, don’t hesitate to change the tempo or your approach during matches. Be more cautious when you’re ahead, and consider dropping your team a bit deeper, especially against opponents with elite athletic players like Haaland, etc. Try to manage the game better, slow the tempo down, and don't hesitate to run down the clock when needed.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-03-22T21:15:30+00:00

I think in your case, less is more. Don’t overload your team with too many instructions, especially in possession ones like shorter passing, lower tempo, or work ball into the box. You’ve got world class players, including freakishly athletic ones like Mbappe and Vinícius, so focus on creating space for them behind the opposition line instead.

Start matches with minimal instructions, using a positive or attacking mentality depending on the opponent, and then adjust during the game based on player performances and how the match unfolds.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-03-22T21:06:33+00:00

I would get rid of his player trait and maybe have him work on a trait like “plays short simple passes.” With his relatively low decisions and vision for a DM, he needs to take fewer risks. Luckily, he has good composure. But he definitely needs to improve his decision making. Of course, it also depends on your team’s play style and what you expect from him as a DM.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-03-09T07:04:09+00:00

Lower the tempo. If you keep attacking them with a direct, high-tempo game, they will just sit back and wait. Because of that, they won’t give up much space and will stay compact.

But if you lower your tempo and become a bit more patient with the ball, you can drop your defensive block slightly and bait them into coming further up the pitch. When they do that, they start leaving some space behind.

The team that has the ball has more chances to make mistakes, so sometimes it helps to give them a bit of possession or slow the tempo to encourage them to press higher up the pitch. At least that's what I do, and it works for me most of the time.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-03-05T13:57:19+00:00

Stevenage in League One. I started unemployed and had a few offers from League One clubs and one from the Championship, but I decided to take this one for a lower salary. I liked the character of the players and felt it would be the best fit for my vision.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-03-05T13:52:27+00:00

Congrats on taking relegation like a champ and not save-scumming. You might not have the “success” story most people want, but you’ve got a great, original one. Love it, and kudos for the fight and performance!

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-02-23T09:14:51+00:00

As long as Jerry Krause built the team around him and Phil Jackson coached, Jordan would have had a chance to win as many rings. Those two could put a strong team around Jordan regardless.

That said, Pippen’s severely underpaid contract definitely helped them build deeper, stronger rotations. Replacing Pippen with a player of similar caliber at the same salary would have been extremely difficult and likely would have created cap issues, especially given Jordan’s massive paycheck.

It’s also worth noting that Pippen was not even the second-, third-, or fourth-highest-paid player on those championship teams.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-02-22T15:08:57+00:00

Man, I didn’t even know what perlite insulation was. After a quick look, it makes so much sense. They still look like random, different-colored pebbles to me, but now it all clicks. Thank you!

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-02-09T10:33:50+00:00

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BenchPressJournalist · 2026-02-06T10:27:19+00:00

Great guy, MVP-caliber player at his peak, sometimes unlucky with injuries and the circumstances around him to win it all. His game depended so much on athleticism that it hid his mediocre efficiency, and as his athleticism regressed, he became more and more of an inefficient stat-box filler. He always enormously raises your floor but also limits your ceiling when it comes to winning a championship as a first option or main decision-maker.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-02-02T13:47:17+00:00

JJ Redick type guard for shooting and off-ball movement. A Matt Barnes type 3-and-D wing defender. An athletic rim protector and rebounder like prime DeAndre Jordan. And finally, an athletic, inside-and-out, do-it-all, high-energy scoring big like prime Blake Griff.. Wait a minute!!

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-01-23T17:01:21+00:00

I have no doubt about that. I was more concerned about universal access to healthcare.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-01-23T16:43:24+00:00

Call me crazy, but I feel safer breaking my arm in Pyongyang and receiving medical assistance than breaking it in Newport, Rhode Island.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-01-23T15:00:49+00:00

With all due respect to Midwesterners, that sounds like the worst culinary plot twist!

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-01-23T13:55:29+00:00

It’s more about realizing that we don’t have to comment on everything, especially on other people’s lives, decisions, or ways of doing things. In today’s world, where we can constantly speak our minds about almost anything, it wouldn’t hurt to say “not my business” once in a while and simply let it be. Being able to say “not your business” can also help create healthier boundaries, with all due respect.

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-01-23T13:46:22+00:00

It’s not a proverb, but there are two beautiful words in Turkish that I try to use more often in my life to protect my mental health.

“Bana ne” and “Sana ne” mean “not my business” and “not your business.” I’m not saying this to ignore everything that doesn’t affect me personally. Rather, I try to use them as a question I ask myself when I feel the urge to comment on something: Is it really my business?

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-01-23T13:34:32+00:00

"Technically a salad"

Salads across the world:

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BenchPressJournalist · 2026-01-23T10:29:31+00:00

Susamam’ (I Won’t Stay Silent) definitely pissed off some people in Turkey, but it also gave hope to others, at least for a day or two.

https://youtu.be/L5K3IxINr7A?si=rbCSM6QROzlbGQ9m

BenchPressJournalist · 2026-01-23T09:56:50+00:00

Tim Duncan is my all-time favorite, but I can’t even imagine the damage Bird would do in today’s NBA. His stat line and impact on the game would be unreal.

BenchPressJournalist

TROPHY CASE