The defeat against Aston Villa I think because Aston Villa are much better at the moment since Countiho's arrival there have been a lot of changes in Aston Villa's midfield which is getting better.
in the match against Aston Villa, Leeds United tried to control a lot of the ball but unfortunately their attack line failed to penetrate the Aston Villa defense so there were not many dangerous attacks.
maybe a lot of things that need to be fixed in the Leeds United team if they don't want to fall.
Coutinho is just a ridiculously good player. I know there is doubt as to whether he is back to his best or not, but he's certainly playing right now like he's one of the best in the world. If he continues at this level, I wonder whether Villa will be able to keep hold of him... is the Gerrard factor enough, or if a big Champions League club comes in for him, will the lure be too great to resist? As for Leeds... their only hope is that there are 3 teams worse than them, which isn't a great position to be in. The only real positive for them is that Bamford is coming back... but will he be playing at 100% straight away? |
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I don't think teams can copy each other at least for this year, the cars are too much different from each other.
They can easily copy the mirror thing they used, but for the sides of the car, they can before the end of the year.
If a team wants to copy them they need to change all the mechanical inside, they can't just copy the outside.
And we know it is a surprising thing but we don't know if it will be the best solution, for example, they are already talking about possible overheating problems.
I do kind of agree that the new Merc development is quite extreme and it would be a complex and time-consuming endeavour for another team to copy it... but nevertheless, if you have two versions of your car, one with a standard(ish) design, and one with an innovative new design that you don't want other teams to copy (but which might get banned), and you have two testing windows, then... i) You'd test one car in one window, and the other car in the other window. ii) You'd test the 'normal' design first and the 'secret' design second, to minimise the time available for other teams to copy. There is still a tactical advantage to running the secret car in the second test, not the first - even if it's only a slight difference. But yeah... all this hysteria, and we still don't know if it's actually faster yet anyway! Presumably Merc think the new design is faster, but no-one knows for sure yet. |
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I get it, this was the strategy of the Mercedes, to get the secret car on the second week, it is the second time they did it also in 2020.
But isn't to risky? I mean they already lost 1 week of tests in this car.
I think it makes perfect sense. I mean, you have a new idea that will gain you a big advantage, but you don't want the other teams to know about it, but you also don't know if it will get banned. So you start the tests off with your "safe" version of the car, which doesn't have the radical new design. This way you get some testing in with the safe version, and you don't allow the opposition to see your new design, so they can't start copying it. Then, second test, you test the new design, it's far too late now for other teams to start copying, and you've fooled them all into thinking your car from the first test is your main model. End result: You've done tests on both versions in case the new design gets banned, and you've also stopped the opposition copying you on the new design. Perfectly logical. In retrospect, if I was a car designer, that exactly the strategy I'd have used. |
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Just by looking at it, I'm pretty sure it isn't indicative of what the grid would be during a real race. I think Cnut237 agree with me in that number of laps is more important during testing as it shows consistency and that the car doesn't much quirks in them.
Yep, I'd definitely agree with that. The only thing you can reliably tell from testing is that if a car is only doing a few laps and then spending most of the time in the garage, then they have problems. For the others, they have various different tyres, various different fuel loads, various set-ups, etc... it's impossible to tell who is fastest. And those who think they might be fastest will always be sand-bagging anyway. I mean, Mercedes were even hiding their true car, the one they had at the first test is nothing like this new one! And just read that there were talks going around that Horner said Merc's side pods are in violation of the rules. Lolol. These are just mind games imho.
F1 is supposed to be all about making the fastest cars. It's disappointing that whenever someone comes up with some crazy innovative new design, all the other teams are shouting "Hey! We didn't think of doing that, so it's not fair and against the rules!". I mean, FFS, we don't even know if the new Merc design is faster or not, the mere fact that it's different and maybe faster is enough to have others crying about it. And this isn't me having a go at Horner, if it was a Red Bull with that design I'm sure Wolff would be complaining just as much. We should be celebrating these creative interpretations, not trying to get anything new banned... particularly as this new Merc design was apparently made after they consulted with the FIA to make sure it would be permitted. Anyway, the new Merc car has caused a bit of discussion about previous crazy cars, and today I've seen images of this absolutely insane 1977 Tyrell F1 car. A bit before my time, but that really is some creative thinking!  |
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They need chaos, mass casualties and financial chaos in order to create the desperation necessary for people to give up their freedoms and give in to tyrannical control
Are you sure they need all that? Don't they just need the existence of the internet and mobile phones? They don't even need desperation... convenience and "free" social media are perfectly sufficient. Imagine being identified anywhere you are and being bombarded by products that you can barely say no to since they are your wants or needs.
Yeah, imagine. BTW I am now being bombarded with adverts offering me 10% off a 5G Cyborg. Comes with free ecosystem, but there are only 5 left in stock and so I have to buy right now. |
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Abramovich was hit hard today by British officials! Chelsea, too, has been sanctioned. Reuters reports that Britain has frozen the assets of seven Russian businessmen, including Roman Abramovich. Abramovich is the owner of the Chelsea football club, which means that the Chelsea is now also subject to the freezing of assets under financial sanctions from the UK. After imposing sanctions on its owner, Britain's government suspended the sale of Chelsea as well as the sale of players, new tickets, and merchandise, but made clear that the team will still be able to play matches. This could be hugely problematic for Chelsea. Sure, they can still play matches, but what they can't do is buy or sell any players, or negotiate new contracts (or contract extensions). So anyone whose contract expires this summer will just have to leave (Azpilicueta for example). And quite apart from all that, I imagine there will be an exodus of sponsors as no-one wants to be associated with a sanctioned Russian at the moment. Of course, no-one knows how this will turn out, but it certainly doesn't look great for the club. This is massive. |
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they should have canceled his participation right from the start instead of waiting for him to pull out now.
Yes, definitely. The drama is a bit of a distraction, but I just think it's unfair on the seedings. So now Zverev the #3 seed can get all the way to the final without having to play anyone else in the top 4, whereas Nadal #4 and Medvedev #1 have to play each other. Zverev gets an easier semi-final than Medvedev, which isn't right. |
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You say really old and a lot of co-morbidities and injecting a load of toxis is somehow doing any good?  It's lucky that we can compare your chart to a chart showing exactly what Covid case numbers would have been if the vaccines had never been developed. Because if we couldn't, your chart would be utterly meaningless. Great news! So 10 billion plus doses administered, 1000 instances of side-effects, therefore side-effects in only 0.00001% of cases. Really, if someone isn't prepared to even look atcapable of understandingconvinced by the data by now, they're unlikely ever to change their position. |
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Final test from tomorrow, Mercedes is rumored to have a lot of new things coming up.
Yep. Lots of noise about the crazy new Mercedes side-pods. The BBC are calling it a "remarkable piece of engineering". Also a rumour doing the rounds (same link as above) that Horner has compained that the Merc innovation is "a step too far. That does not correspond to the spirit of the regulations. For us, these wings are illegal." ... but Red Bull are now saying they never said any such thing... glad to see the new season starts with the usual controversy! But apparently the FIA has looked at the new Merc design and said it's okay and within the rules. |
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Sanctions don't work for the reason you've alluded to - economic restrictions just affect the ordinary people of a country, the governmental elites remain unaffected.
In this instance though, sanctions are also being applied directly against oligarchs and others who are known associates of Putin. If you want Russians to remove Putin, a good way to encourage it is surely to target his allies. And yes, broader sanctions do hurt innocent ordinary Russians, but they also hurt his ability to maintain his army... and may possibly foment insurrection. |
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Comparing to the past isn't of much use, the technology wasn't as advanced and conditions were much worse (The Spanish Flu appeared during or after WW1, if I remember correctly, due to the mass transportation of soldiers and the poor hygiene and living conditions). [...] After Russia's invasion, a WW3 wouldn't surprise us, while other countries could take examples from Russia, and follow the same tactics (see Turkey and Greece).
One reason that the pandemic became a global event is because countries (and economies) are so intertwined now, much more than in the past. Previously a new virus arising in China might have remained in China, but in the 21st Century anything that arises anywhere is likely to spread around the globe. On the war side, though, the fact that countries and their economies are so intertwined should disincentivise aggression. It's a major reason that big countries haven't attacked each other directly since WW2, whatever damage you can do to your opponent will also cause huge harm to your own economy. Of course there have been proxy wars and small-scale aggression, but never enough to cause a major economic reaction. What we are seeing now with Russia is a country (or rather a man) who is testing the boundaries of what he can get away with. The level of sanctions and companies disentangling themselves from Russia is unprecedented, and will cause huge damage to Russia... and hopefully (provided he doesn't resort to nuclear weapons) provide a clear example for the future that this sort of aggression will come with a huge cost. |
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The impressive performance Karim Benzema gives isn't commonly found
It just shows that the very best players are capable of winning a match single-handed. Benzema made all the difference here, and it will go down in history and Real folklore as one of the epic individual performances, twnety minutes and three goals that completely transformed the tie. Talking of how it just takes one brilliant individual to turn a match around, who did PSG have up front? Messi. Mbappe. Neymar. Any of them should be capable of the same. But it's just not working out, that's their season gone now, really. All that's left is the league, which they've effectively won already. Nothing to do until next year, and another try at the Champions League. I'd be surprised if they have the same front three then. |
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Big surprise... Djokovic has now withdrawn from the Indian Wells tournament.
I understand him wanting to leave it until the last minute, in case the visa restrictions are removed or he gets a special exemption, but still, this should have been resolved much earlier. Now we have another tournament where one side of the draw is much easier than the other side, which isn't really fair. If this keeps happening, tournament after tournament, then whoever is seeded to play in the DJokovic part of the draw will have easier matches and likely gain more ranking points, purely because he delays his withdrawal until the latest possible moment.
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It is just announced that there will be a F1 Manager 2022 game! I can't wait for it to happen, with the amazing innovations on the computer technology and game engines, it could be so much great.
Sounds interesting. Here's the description from the Steam page: Make your mark on Formula 1® in the officially licensed F1® Manager 2022. Choose your team and be the boss with the full 2022 roster of staff and drivers. Featuring full F1® licensing and true-to-life presentation, you won’t just play F1® Manager 2022 – you’ll live it.
Career – Become the Best
Write a new chapter in a bold new era for Formula 1®. Choose your F1® team and guide them to glory throughout the official 2022 races by beginning your journey at the back of the grid or taking your place in pole position – in F1® Manager, the choice is yours. Your task is to impress the board by hitting your season targets and long-term goals, securing your team’s success for years to come.
The HQ – Build Your Team
Your constructor team are the beating heart of racing operations. Between races, control every detail of your team from HQ. Monitor the performance of your star drivers and staff, keep your finances in the black, and scout best-in-class staff from rival teams to give yourself an extra edge for upcoming races.
The Factory – Perfect Your Car
Get your hands on 2022’s striking new car designs and race closer to your opponents than ever before. Assign new parts for your cars to prepare for the race ahead. Choose your engineering approach to gain advantages on upcoming circuits – will you develop a well-balanced system, focus on areas needing improvement, or excel in specific aspects of performance?
The Race – Create and Execute Your Strategy
From lights-out to the chequered flag, you’re in control. Own every decision from pit strategy to tyre choices to driver callouts. Plan your approach but be prepared to react to dynamic race events such as weather and fluctuating track conditions. Immerse yourself in a hyper-realistic simulation of an official F1® race presented in true-to-life broadcast quality. if open to workshop modding, this game could really become the thing we all wanted
Could be fun if it's open to modding, yes. I imagine one of the first would be a 'Michael Masi has gone crazy!' mod, where he returns as race director and gets up to all sorts of wacky antics and ad hoc rule-making. All drivers must have a compulsory toilet break on lap 23! Only red cars can unlap themselves! DRS only enabled on even-numbered laps! Drivers must high-five the entire pit crew during each tyre change! |
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I assume this move would be fueled by what happened earlier this year in
Australia, is it worthy of a termination of sponsorship though?
Could be that plus the fact that he is Serbian. Serbia is one off the countries that have strong political ties with Russia and one of the very few countries that did not give support to Ukraine or condemned Russia war efforts. I suspect this reason is the trigger because of the timing and possible further bad promotion. It's understandable if it's because of the vaccine, or because they think he won't play a lot of tournaments... but it's a bit pathetic if it's because of the war. They shouldn't associate all Serbian athletes - or all Russian athletes - with the behaviour or stance of their country. I mean, look at Rublev, he's a Russian player, and he wrote 'no war please' on the camera the other day. It would be pathetic to stop his sponsorship because of his nationality. You have a point with the timing... but there is another answer that fits with the timing, which is that Djokovic has of course just lost his position as world number 1, which you'd imagine is not great for the sponsors.
Also he may make the news again in the next couple of days... apparently he is still listed in the draw for Indian Wells, but of course not eligible to enter the country. |
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Ronaldo cannot guarantee top 4 position for Manchester United. His coming back to United is supposed to just help up front not to carry the team like they were making him do at the start of the season. It's quite frustrating playing in an environment where winning mentality is low, that's the problem Ronaldo have with this United team.
Ronaldo scores goals, but overall I think he is part of the problem, not the solution. He makes Man U worse, just like he made Juve worse. He's always had gaps in his game, like his pathological inability to track back or be a team-player. Sometimes if you play for a top team, your team-mates can cover for this deficiency and compensate for it. But other times, if you're at a good-but-not-great team like Man U, and there are better teams than you in the league, then they will exploit this weakness ruthlessly. Top goal-scorer, but not top team-player. He's not what United need right now. |
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I believe the players of Red Bull Salzburg have already done their best even though they were thrashed by the scoreline of 7-1 This is totally unacceptable the RB Salzburg players did not play like a team in the champions league, how can we talk about a team that conceded 3goals within 25minutes as a team that did their best? They conceded two penalties that were worth it and they could not walk on their defence even after losing 4:0 in the first half. As long as am concerned, they played nothing. It's not easy playing Bayern, though. And if Bayern are playing well, most teams don't have a chance. I don't think we can blame RB Salzburg much here, Bayern are one of the very best teams in the world. A couple of early goals, and Bayern start to get even better, whilst the losing team finds their morale sapped even further. I think RB do play like a team who are in the Champions League - it's just that they're one of the worst teams left in it, whilst Bayern are one of the best. |
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How optimistic can one be about a resolution?
I don't think we're near a resolution yet, and things will get worse. But equally, yes, I'm sure the Russian army has its weaknesses. Not least being all the reports we hear of captured Russian soldiers who don't know why they are there. And the equipment is likely a bit out-dated and vulnerable to western-supplied Ukranian weapons. I'd imagine morale in the Russian troops is not so great. And the supply lines are of course an issue. |
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Manchester United's task will be even more difficult to stay in the fourth position of the standings which is a position to automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage.
For me, the defense must be completely changed, especially Maguire (CB) and A. Wan-Bissaka (RB). The position of DM and CM must also be replaced.
They have some good individual players, but just don't function as a team (and Ronaldo, when he is playing, only worsens this problem). I think there is almost zero chance of United qualifying for the Champions League this year. Arsenal have already leapfrogged them into fourth place, and have three games in hand. In fact it looks reasonably likely that Arsenal could even overtake Chelsea to finish third United should be looking at teams below them, not teams above them. West Ham are only two points behind. Spurs are five points behind, but have three games in hand. It's by no means certain that United will even finish in the top six. |
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Ah it was not to be, after 3 sets Zhang was able to win. It was a great tournament
for the Ukranian and she did indeed have the crowd on her side. I didnt bet on this
match, I couldnt call it.
Yeah, such a shame, I really wanted her to win, and thought she could get through that final match. It was close, particularly after Yastremka took the first set... but ultimately a step too far. Unbelievable when you think about the context, that she was even able to play tennis this week. Quite incredible, really. And she is donating her tournament prize money to help Ukraine. The 21-year-old Yastremska and her 15-year-old sister, Ivanna, spent two nights sheltering in an underground car park after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine before being sent to safety in France by their parents.
After Sunday’s 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat by Zhang, Yastremska, draped in her country’s flag, said: “The prize money I earned here I’m going to give to the Ukrainian foundation to support the Ukraine. And if Ukrainian people are watching me, I want to say you guys are so strong, you have an amazing spirit. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/06/tennis-ukraine-dayana-yastremska-lyon-open |
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