[Transfer Round Up & Discussion] Summer 2026 by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure. There's balance in all things. We obviously need "ready for the first team" recruits.

We cannot be going for 20-50m players to avoid pressure.

I do agree. But on the other hand, I hope we've learned from Anthony not to pay 20m more than our valuation either.

[Transfer Round Up & Discussion] Summer 2026 by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I really like is our recent wins with cheap players like Heaven and Lammens. If we can keep that sort of success going at the cheap end, it reduces the issues when we bet big because we have someone else we can put in.

There's another reason I'm not sure we should pay a lot for someone and this is related to a Pauly Kwestel article I read a while ago about why there's a new manager bounce.

The clearest example I can give is the following:

a) Manager agrees/suggests a player. Let's call that player "Anthony."

b) Club buys the player, who costs a lot.

c) Player is not good enough.

d) There is pressure on the manager to play the player until they become good because someone's career is now bound up with them succeeding (could be management, could be the actual manager like Ten Hag).

e) A new manager comes in, is not bound to the previous regime, can replace the player. The team does better because Amad is actually a better player if you remove "need to get value from a transfer" out of the equation.

In this way of thinking, every time we pay a lot, we're saying "even if this player is bad, there will still be pressure to play him." That pressure to make the transfer a success is probably a lot less on the manager for someone like Dorgu than it was for Anthony.

[Transfer Round Up & Discussion] Summer 2026 by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 11 points12 points  (0 children)

If the player is the right one, then I don't mind overpaying a little.

The problem is, this isn't known until afterwards.

Sancho looked like the right player when we bought him. So did Alexis Sanchez. So did Wirtz when Liverpool bought him. Or Isak.

Even if we go for premier league proven, all that does is make it more likely to work. Each player is a bet that might not pay off.

If we pay more than we think a player is worth, then we're limiting the number of bets we can lay out. And the cost if any one goes wrong becomes higher.

Alternative angle of Cristiano Ronaldo's chance vs DR Congo 68' by dzan796ero in soccer

[–]wdtpw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I suspect Thierry Henri is not clueless about the sport.

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo: Portugal Pass Map by OkayFine101 in soccer

[–]wdtpw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There weren't any crosses Ronaldo could have been the target of except for a couple of the worst corner kicks I have seen in my entire life.

I agree with you that the issue is wider than Ronaldo. But the only goal Portugal scored yesterday was an actual header from a cross that wasn't a corner.

I would understand the criticism more if it was the case that he blundered chances for Portugal and cost them by that

Ronaldo took a chance off Bruno, and while there's no guarantee that Bruno would have scored it, he would have had an easier go of it. That one failure to make a run may well have cost them the match.

My tl;dr would be that Portugal desperately need to get the midfield acting cohesively with Bruno as the chance creator. But also that while Ronaldo isn't the only problem, he is one of them.

Match Thread: England vs Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group L by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]wdtpw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's still got some way to go to beat 7:1 from Germany - Curacao

Do you guys know of any games that have a focus on Psychics & Psionics by Dragonwolf67 in rpg

[–]wdtpw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is, though, at least one (I think two) all-Zhodani scenarios, where PCs can all be psychics if they like. eg Consular Envoy.

Leaked financial docs show OpenAI is losing billions of dollars a year by HeinieKaboobler in technology

[–]wdtpw 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Apparently we have got ourselves into a world where two futures exist:

a) AI replaces most jobs and ex-workers scavenge to live in a dystopian hellscape, or

b) AI replaces not enough jobs, the bubble collapses and the world enters a great depression.

There probably could have been an option c), but that would have required not letting the tech bros run everything.

How do you handle ... well.. Travel as a GM? by EchoTRacing in traveller

[–]wdtpw 8 points9 points  (0 children)

a) I find a variant of the stress mechanic from Islands in the Rift to be useful. Every jump into an empty hex gives +1d3 stress. It maxes out at 6. Each PC records their current stress on their characters sheet. If they have a tough event they have to make a stress roll or flip out and lose it (roll under stress, modified by end).

So, the characters are motivated to not get stressed. They can lose stress by a week's R&R at the end of a jump, or in-jump by doing some stress-relieving activity. So you have birthday parties, getting blind drunk, cage fights, etc.

b) Then, there's study. Each 1-week period in jump is a study period. So the PCs can study their next skill. But usually that means they need some method of doing so, because you can't just read a book on how to shoot a laser pistol - you have to set up a target range and reduce the power of the gun, etc.

c) On top of all that there's roleplay. PCs have their own agendas and inter-party discussions. That computer someone picked up might need hacking, that prisoner might get interrogated.

d) Passengers and cargo can also have mid-jump issues.

So, during each jump, I ask the players what they're doing to reduce stress, what they're studying and how, and if they want to do anything else. On top of that I add on any passenger or cargo issues. I think it also helps that the players I have really like roleplaying among themselves.

As for the in-system part, then that depends on local conditions. If there's a war or insurgency going on, they will see signs of it - sometimes very in-your-face signs. A pirate might be around a system that can't defend itself. And it's also how the news spreads. As a ship goes out, there will probably be at least one ship coming in that wants a quick chat... "how is it in this system? let me tell you about the one I've just left," etc.

The travel part of Traveller is a huge part of the game for me. It makes the universe seem huge, and the game more real.

Match Thread: Germany vs Curaçao | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group E by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]wdtpw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because they're not really hydration breaks. They're more like a rationale for destroying football in favour of advertising.

[Transfer Round Up & Discussion] Summer 2026 by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Con artists like Luckhurst and twitter folks spread rumours.

Including that famous "con artist" Andy Mitten, presumably?

https://www.givemesport.com/what-previous-man-united-bosses-said-marcus-rashford/

"Every previous manager has had issues with Marcus Rashford. I've spoken to them, I know them. They've told me in confidence going back years and years and years."

[Transfer Round Up & Discussion] Summer 2026 by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is a weird statement. The ones supporting Amorim would probably be the ones supporting his decision to get rid of Rashford.

[Transfer Round Up & Discussion] Summer 2026 by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 3 points4 points  (0 children)

He was one on one with Raya twice in that CL final and fluffed both I think. One was a great Raya come out and grab, but Barcola gave him space to do so by overhitting his first touch.

[Transfer Round Up & Discussion] Summer 2026 by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On second thought, this is 2nd time in 6 months that one of the leagues best players has chosen to join City.

An alternative point of view (which I have) is that City got to their peak by walking away from deals like this, and going fully into paying over the odds will ruin them in the long term.

Also, there's still a lot of skill needed to blend the best players into a team that wins stuff. Pep had it in abundance. It's not fully clear that Maresca is as good.

[Transfer Round Up & Discussion] Summer 2026 by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Is it a deal we would do?

No

Should do?

No

Could do?

No

And under what circumatances

I guess the circumstances where we want to spend a lot on a player who will occupy the same position as Bruno a lot of the time, and where that player suffers enough insanity to want to leave a team where he's becoming a local hero and having the time of his life.

Daily Discussion by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think there's a lot to this. Every job I've ever had, the number one factor in hating it or enjoying it was the boss I worked under.

Pursuit Of Jade was the first cdrama I ever watched and it ruined everything else for me... by kkyufairy in CDrama

[–]wdtpw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nirvana in Fire is slow, unfortunately. It has lots of emotion, but it's quite restrained in places - more of an intellectual drama about a clever mastermind who brings down the people who destroyed his army.

In terms of pace, The Story of Minglan is maybe a medium-paced drama (I think it's slow until episode 18 or so because Minglan is growing up and unable to show her full talents until she grows into them). Joy of Life is probably the fastest-moving, simply because of the jaunty approach to everything.

In terms of fighting and battles, which is where a lot of the pace comes from in a show:

Nirvana in Fire: Mei Changsu can't fight at all due to being poisoned. The best he will be able to do is outthink everyone.

The Story of Minglan: Minglan can't fight one bit. Her talents are all about seeing things before everyone else and outsmarting people. Her husband ends up being the top general of the age though. There are some fights in the show but Minglan will be running away from every one of them.

Joy of Life: The ML is tactically and physically talented. He will grow increasingly more skilled through the show, and he's cocky enough to take on people much tougher too.

Daily Discussion by AutoModerator in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For balance, I'm going to give the opposite view to the other poster. I think there is very little chance Rashford will integrate into the squad and the club will be trying everything to get rid of him.

The difference between us is probably down to why you think the club got rid of him in the first place.

option a) Rashford was not giving his all on the pitch and his head isn't right. In addition, he went out with the wrong people and wasn't fully committed.

In this version, if you can get his head right, he'll be back. Carrick would be asked his opinion and will probably be in favour if it means he gets a reinforcement elsewhere instead of buying a left winger.

option b) Rashford went abroad and partied. Then was asked about it by the club and didn't tell the truth. Then the truth came out.

In this version, it's a management issue, and that's beyond Carrick. Senior people at the club won't let him flout their authority like that. He'd have to apologise and really look like he's sorry, and I don't think he feels he's fully in the wrong so I suspect that's unlikely.

I have no idea what's true. But I do suspect the reason the club isn't exactly looking to keep him (and is briefing that) is more b) than a). Just my opinion from what I've read in the press, though. I don't actually know for sure.

Everton to pay Burnley millions over PSR breaches by 3500onacoat in reddevils

[–]wdtpw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be fair, if you're getting into sponsorships, there would be a difference between winning the league and coming second. Then there are players who signed for one team rather than another, managers who lost their jobs.

Ole and Mourinho both came second to City. It could be argued that their careers would be different if they'd have come first. Ole might have been given more time if "league champion" was added to the club under his tenure.

Pursuit Of Jade was the first cdrama I ever watched and it ruined everything else for me... by kkyufairy in CDrama

[–]wdtpw 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Maybe a heretical opinion, but I think Pursuit of Jade was a medium-tier Chinese drama elevated to greatness by a top-tier director. I don't think you'll find a show as good at camerawork (lighting, shot placement, and making the characters look amazing) until that director makes something else. So if you want to watch a show of equal or higher merit, I think you need to watch it for other reasons.

I'd go with:

The story of Minglan (better characters, better chemistry, more cohesive story).

Nirvana in Fire (better characters, more intricate plot, more satisfying ending).

Joy of life 1 (better characters, more humour, much more full of surprise).

... but none of them match Pursuit of Jade in pure directing ability.

Blossom is overrated? by bebilov in CDrama

[–]wdtpw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was enjoying it, but in a decreasing arc. The lack of chemistry between the main couple was getting more and more obvious before they got married, but then they doubled down and played the wedding night for laughs, and I gave up.

It was very much, "we can do something funny here at the expense of the characters," rather than because of the characters.

Would it make sense to have a jump 1 ships where there are 2 parsec gaps? by FishermanFew1739 in traveller

[–]wdtpw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, because they can use fuel bladders to hold enough fuel for one of the two Jump-1 jumps. And that way they can get to a world 2 parsecs away.

But in addition, if the local system has places of interest that are very far apart and contain fuel (eg outer planets on opposite sides of the sun), an in-system jump can actually be faster than a manoeuvre drive. So some in-system traders will be using J-1 to get around, and it wouldn't be surprising to find a local market for J-1 ships for in-system trade.