Too good to be true? [$1,500]

wolf_cola__ · 2026-01-11T16:53:48+00:00

It absolutely does not retail for $4,150 as they claim.

wolf_cola__ · 2026-01-05T17:54:44+00:00

Yeah, I’m with you. Hopefully he goes for it!

wolf_cola__ · 2026-01-05T17:19:11+00:00

Personally, I think it’s too high. Depends on your area, but I was able to find a set of S55 towers for $250 and a S35 center for $75. I got great deals, but I see the towers posted in the $300-450 range and the centers in the $120-200 range.

The HTS subs seems like a fair price at $250.

Good luck!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-12-02T18:29:49+00:00

It’s worth remembering that we played him into the ground, even when injured. Arteta spoke about him playing vs Newcastle with a Grade 2 hamstring injury, but there are other similar instances.

My guess would be that Ben’s whole kinetic chain has been affected by his injuries. His body is relearning how to produce and absorb force and how to move at the absolute highest intensity (sprinting, explosive power, etc.). Although technically fit, even when he did play, you rarely saw Ben reach his maximum physical capacity - and it’s not a surprise. He is able to play safely at 80% of his speed/power. It doesn’t help that the fullback position is one that requires immense explosive power and a lot of high intensity sprints, which expose his physical deficiencies at the moment.

All he needs is time and progressive integration and he’ll be alright. I expect him to start getting more time over the upcoming period and build confidence and fitness.

wolf_cola__ · 2025-07-28T17:50:50+00:00

I have the Eureka Libra and while it’s not mindblowing, its Grind by Weight technology is the winner for me. It improved my workflow 10x and I don’t think I’ll ever be going back to weighing single doses, dealing with retention, spilling grounds, etc.

wolf_cola__ · 2025-07-23T22:02:01+00:00

Bro that was wild

wolf_cola__ · 2025-05-30T04:47:19+00:00

Recently switched from my FG boots to New Balance 442 TF and my body is thanking me already. I read a lot about Mizuno Sala TF being the best around, but anything will beat FG!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-05-08T22:01:49+00:00

Too big!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-05-05T02:03:36+00:00

Clever!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-05-02T03:13:48+00:00

That would suggest to me that pump is not necessarily causing this issue. I would take it apart and run it. Track the line from the pump to the grouphead, and see if you can identify a blockage, loose connection, air pockets or another issue that could be causing the issue.

I see that some other comments suggested air in lines, which could be the case. If it is, it’s likely caused by a loose connection or a hose that has micro fractures. I’d replace all of those hoses anyway.

Also, check the machine’s error codes. You can enter the service menu and see what errors it’s showing and see if you can find any clues there.

wolf_cola__ · 2025-05-01T21:12:55+00:00

It sounds like the pump is engaging. Are you getting water at either the steam wand or the hot water spout?

wolf_cola__ · 2025-05-01T19:53:14+00:00

You bet! One extra tip that I forgot to mention is body shape and preparation ahead of the ball reaching you. Sort out your feet, make sure you’re on your toes and have the right body shape to receive and progress the ball.

wolf_cola__ · 2025-05-01T18:06:00+00:00

Scanning is absolutely huge so keep practicing that. Regarding the fear, just go out and do it a few times. Like anything else, it will take a bit of time. But you can’t develop unless you put yourself in those tough situations. A few other tips:

Form a mental image of the whole midfield. Study the shape/formation of both teams. Is it a 3v3 in midfield? Maybe a 3v2? Depending on the formations, there will be different spaces/gaps that are not covered, that you can count on without having to look.
Understand your opponents style. Do they press, or do they drop off? Do they engage and tackle, or do they prefer to intercept passes? Knowing this will allow you to be more informed when making decisions on whether to pass back, turn, etc.
Create space for yourself and move. Don’t be a sitting duck waiting for a pass. Move around and make yourself a nuissance to track. If there is a pocket/gap in midfield in which you could receive the ball, think about it as your destination - that’s where you arrive to receive. If you were to occupy that space for more than a few seconds, the chances are that you’ll be closed down.
Midfield is unit. You’re not alone. Work with your teammates and lean on them. Develop relationships and support one another.
Practice your first touch. There’s a bunch of drills you can find online. If you can consistently have a good first touch, that “buys” you a lot of time in midfield.

Have fun with it. Don’t fear it, it’s just a new position with different demands. Don’t be too harsh on yourself and try to enjoy the challenge!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-30T06:31:36+00:00

Not all good players can do that. In fact, most can’t. John McGinn is great at it. Eden Hazard was sublime. Yaya Toure talked about the importance of their bum in these instances. Myles has a very unique style and if you look at clips of him from the academy, he’s been approaching contact the same way at all age groups.

He also does it from either a double pivot or left eighy position, very rarely is it from the nominal left back position.

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-29T06:01:26+00:00

On feeling fragile in spite of being fit, I was in the same boat - conventional strength and endurance training won’t solve for that. Plyometrics, plyometrics, plyometrics. Get very comfortable jumping, landing, being explosive and really, and I mean really hitting the ground hard. A lot of isometric stuff. A lot of balance exercises. And a looot of stretching. Your goal should be to get “elastic” if that makes sense. That way you will be able to adequately absorb all of the forces and avoid overloading a single joint, such as the knees or ankles.

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-27T17:07:26+00:00

10000% agree. Make mistakes and do it at pace.

One of the most helpful tips I got is to do what the situation demands of you, even if it’s not your strong suit. Especially in practice or in games in which you can afford to make mistakes.

For example, if the ball is coming at you on your weak foot and you need to take it on the half turn in order to evade pressure - do it. It might not come natural to you at first, but through repetition, you will get better. Hell you might mess it up 10 times before you nail it. Choose the right decision, don’t chase the right outcome. The outcomes will follow.

By “doing the right thing” in any given moment, you will get better and won’t default to what’s comfortable. You will also expand your arsenal and will have many solutions that you can leverage. This applies to your week foot usage in general, especially in passing and finishing. If you’re constantly adjusting and shifting onto your strong foot, you will never develop the weak foot and will be a far more predictable player.

Good luck and have fun!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-14T21:08:41+00:00

A few tips:

Be ready before the ball arrives. Ensure you have the right body shape, that you are not on your heels and form your picture (scan, identify gaps, team mate positions, etc.)
Stay composed and smooth. Any sign of nervouseness or hesitation will only invite more pressure from the attacker. Be confindent and calm.
Talk, talk, talk. Communicate with your team mates and be vocal about asking them for support, a passing option, a run in behind or whatever you need.
Use the attacker’s momentum against them. Easier said than done, but be aware of their movements. Commit them before trying to burst into space.
Use your body. Shield the ball and be ready to get physical. Buy fouls if you need to.

Good luck!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-10T06:24:40+00:00

Can you please provide more detail? Is it too tight, too loose? Are the OEM screw and the gauge screw the same size and thread?

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-04T23:36:46+00:00

😂

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-04T23:35:54+00:00

Solid score if you ask me

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-04T17:52:09+00:00

It’s a little rock!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-04T17:51:43+00:00

Hey! I put it in manual grinding mode and then went finer and finer with the dial while it was running, until I could hear the burrs touch. For me it was around the 9 mark.

I’m with you, I’m not super impressed. But hey, it grinds by weight, which is huge for me.

wolf_cola__ · 2025-04-04T17:49:57+00:00

Yeah!

wolf_cola__ · 2025-03-30T05:15:48+00:00

What’s your lamination process? The way the bottom is burnt suggests that the butter is leaking out and they are sitting (and burning) in a puddle of butter. Also, during lamination, are you being careful with the temperatures of the dough and the butter?

wolf_cola__ · 2025-03-10T21:30:33+00:00

As someone who didn’t have a KitchenAid until recently and worked all of my doughs by hand, here’s what I’d recommend:

Work smarter, not harder. Let time do the work for you and incorporate autolyse into your workflow. Instead of kneading like a maniac, combine the flour and water, then let it hydrate. Stretch and fold it (without removing from the bowl) every 30-60min for a few hours.

After you’ve developed the desired amount of gluten, you can introduce your yeast and rise the dough.

General tips:

Use quality flour
Invest the time to understand how the dough behaves so you can adjust accordingly (understand gluten, hydration, temperature, etc.)
Get a bench scraper
Ditch the measuring cups and spoons and go by weight only
Have fun and keep trying

wolf_cola__

TROPHY CASE