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  • The Best and Worst Super Bowl Commercials, Ranked


    Here is my annual critical ranking of the Super Bowl commercials. This is the pregame edition, with all the available national ads that I could track down; the list will be updated after Sunday’s game.

    The trends so far? Nothing controversial, as you would expect, but also — and perhaps for associated reasons — very little creativity. It’s a bad year for ads; the ones at the top of this list aren’t much better than average. More spots than usual depend entirely on the appeal of a relatable celebrity (who is almost certainly male). Concepts beat ideas — there is a lot of fussy, overly complicated silliness and not much in the way of simple, effective storytelling or mood setting.

    (You may not see every commercial listed here during the game, and you may see commercials not listed here. The various broadcast and streaming platforms will carry different selections of ads, and some ads will only be shown in certain regions.)

    The N.F.L.’s own feel-good promo, “Somebody,” is affecting in a highly produced, can’t-we-all-just-get-along manner. Its implicit endorsement of diversity and inclusion offers a muted contrast to the league’s decision to forgo the “End Racism” end-zone slogan.

    No. 2

    David Beckham learns he has a secret twin, who turns out to look a lot like Matt Damon. Reasonably charming, and Ben Affleck jokes never get old.

    No. 3

    The actor Barry Keoghan rides a donkey around ye olde rural Ireland (he’s back in the world of “The Banshees of Inisherin”), delivering customers’ websites by throwing laptops into farmyards and through pub windows. It’s cute, even though it’s designed to ensure that Keoghan yells “Squarespace!” every few seconds.

    Scheduled for the pregame show, the coffee maker’s stylish “Hello Again” ad seeks to remind us why we once loved Starbucks. And it kind of does!

    No. 5

    Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady trade insults for 15 seconds, spitting out generic reasons for hating each other. Their celebrity is a distraction from the message about tolerance, but when Snoop, now himself, says, “I hate that things are so bad that we have to do a commercial about it,” it still hits home.

    No. 6

    Gordon Ramsay is recruited to cook for a visiting extraterrestrial played by Pete Davidson. The scenario is clever, though the Ramsay-to-Davidson ratio is exactly the opposite of what you would want.

    Those noted grumps Aubrey Plaza and Michael Shannon show off their saltiness, because Ritz crackers are salty. (Bad Bunny drops by, for the sake of variety.) It’s more intelligible than most of the one-joke ads, and Plaza and Shannon are a good pair.

    No. 8

    The likely progress of climate change is charted along the timeline of a newborn girl’s life. A little clunky and sanctimonious in its execution but unimpeachable in its sentiments.

    No. 9

    The national ad for Google’s Gemini personal assistant is likely to be the most slickly handsome production in the field. If the use of Capra-esque family moments to humanize an A.I.-generated voice that coaches a dad for a job interview completely creeps you out, however, feel free to move this to the bottom of the list.

    Dylan Bradshaw and Nate Norell, the winners of a $1 million contest, created an ad with something most of the agencies don’t seem interested in: a story. It’s nebulous — an alien tries very hard to wrestle a bag of Doritos away from its human owner — but it’s there.

    No. 11

    Roger Federer and Elmo debate the spelling of the logo on Federer’s shoes. There’s barely even a coherent thought here, but come on, it’s Roger Federer and Elmo.

    No. 12

    Channing Tatum teaches the actual players of the Wrexham soccer club in Wales — subject of the series “Welcome to Wrexham” — how to do celebration dances. It’s always fun to watch Tatum move, though on the evidence of this and any number of movies, there is no one left on earth who knows how to film someone dancing.

    Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe as pickleball hustlers playing for beer is a nice idea, though it goes on for too long.

    No. 14

    Shaboozey, riding the wave from “A Bar Song” and his guest appearances on “Cowboy Carter,” sings “What a Wonderful World” backed by a gigantic, red, trumpet-playing gummy in a slight but pleasant and colorful spot.

    No. 15

    The presence of the always engaging comedian Nate Bargatze elevates this otherwise indifferent (but frenetic) spot, in which he uses the money he saves on deliveries to clone himself.

    Antonio Banderas is totally in on the joke, and he’s fun to watch as he’s transformed by the glory of his Bosch refrigerator. The appliance and tool company loses points, however, for the odd decision to pair Banderas with an actor playing the wrestler Randy Savage, who died in 2011.

    No. 17

    Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez, in a cool car on a coastal highway, slow down to enjoy ice cream bars to the sweet sound of Smokey Robinson’s “Cruisin’.” The play on their “Fast and Furious” personas is negligible but nice to look at.

    No. 18

    Will the young men who drive beer sales respond to the soft, nostalgic pull of a Clydesdale nosing a keg across the countryside to the sound of the Bellamy Brothers? It’s a sobering thought. The horse is awfully cute, though.

    Issa Rae’s indestructible likability graces a series of mild sight gags about the irritations of tax season.

    No. 20

    A fairy tale is remade as a comic blockbuster, with the ubiquitous Glen Powell — whose anodyne charm is apparently perfect for the current moment — in the role of Goldilocks and pickup trucks taking the place of porridge.

    No. 21

    Andy Reid, who will be on the sideline as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, is a more natural pitchman than you might expect. He also seems to be aware that the ad, in which he’s cast as a part-time hand model in order to sell slip-on shoes, makes no sense at all.

    To the sound of “Born to Be Wild,” four women of grandmotherly age pile into a convertible and partake in strenuous and mildly racy antics. It all feels a little out of proportion to what’s being sold, which are floor mats.

    No. 23

    The soft-drink brand revives the Pepsi Challenge, pitting zero-sugar colas against one another, with a resolutely utilitarian announcement that has the nice touch of focusing on (what looks like) a 50-year-old TV set.

    No. 24

    Human-sized sloths move, very slowly, through their routines at the office, the gym and other places on the Monday after the Super Bowl. That a case of Coors Light is the appropriate accompaniment for their dazed state seems like a mixed message at best.

    Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal reunite at Katz’s so that she can fake another orgasm, this time inspired by mayonnaise. Crystal’s reactions are seamless, but the punchline doesn’t deliver.

    No. 26

    A high-I.Q. beluga whale with Kieran Culkin’s voice retrieves a klutzy human’s cellphone. The message appears to be that we are a hapless race wholly dependent on the internet, and who can argue?

    No. 27

    A Chris, a Chris and a Kris (Hemsworth, Pratt and Jenner) plug the tech giant’s A.I.-assisted Ray-Ban sunglasses. This pair of intermittently amusing spots sends the reassuring message that contemporary art is just there to be made fun of, with all the wit and grace you would expect from a tech giant.

    A young farm girl, left behind when everyone else heads to the field, plants and tends an equally forlorn potato. The aw factor is very high; the sudden pivot at the end into a public service announcement for family farms is jarring.

    No. 29

    One of two overthought ads featuring Matthew McConaughey (see also Salesforce, below). The cameos by Kevin Bacon, Greta Gerwig and Martha Stewart are nice, but is this the best time to be making jokes about conspiracy theories?

    No. 30

    McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are the attractions in a forced and laugh-free scenario involving outdoor restaurant seating and heavy rain. The product is apparently an artificial intelligence that will book restaurant tables more intelligently than other A.I.s can.

    The much-loved actor Walton Goggins, at the risk of making himself slightly less loved, shills for GoDaddy’s business-creation tool Airo in an overly busy spot that ends up being a plug for his own Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses as well.

    No. 32

    This public-service spot from the seller of soaps and other personal-care items shows an adorable 3-year-old girl running down a sidewalk, then puts up a title saying that when she’s 14 she will hate her legs. The message about positive body images never quite comes through.

    No. 33

    Grocery delivery as a stampede, with familiar brand mascots — a doughboy chef, a green giant, a grinning pitcher — racing across the landscape to arrive together on a homeowner’s doorstep. Seems like a recipe for breakage.

    If you’re not aware that the face on the Pringles logo has a mustache, then this high-concept spot — with its flying celebrity mustaches winging their way to the store to get more chips — will be more than a little bewildering.

    No. 35

    The comedian Shane Gillis and the rapper Post Malone star in a deadpan ode to suburban backyard partying, with cultural undertones and overtones that defy simple analysis. Peyton Manning drops by to lend folksy gravitas.

    No. 36

    The reservation service promotes its “something for everyone” promise with a scattered montage of hotel mishaps that isn’t likely to appeal to anyone in particular. Various Muppets make cameo appearances.

    An animated seal with the face and voice of, yes, Seal sings a parody of the 1994 hit “Kiss From a Rose.” It may induce nightmares, though you have to admit that “My flippers can’t hold Mountain Dew, what a shame” makes about as much sense as “And now that your rose is in bloom, a light hits the gloom on the gray.”

    No. 38

    Imagining the world without “Star Wars” or “The Simpsons” or “The Bear,” this bland spot for Disney’s streaming offerings might make you think, “Yeah, that wouldn’t be so bad.”

    No. 39

    Adam DeVine of the “Pitch Perfect” movies accidentally orders 100,000 Cirkul water bottles, a gag that ties into an actual giveaway said to be taking place during the Super Bowl. It’s hard to say which is more annoying: the ad or the notion of spending money on branded water bottles.

    Confused lovers of the company’s “chocolate lava” candy try to eat actual lava. It’s a head-scratcher.

    No. 41

    Would you base your campaign for frozen pizza snacks on an animated alien who looks like the walking personification of heartburn?

    No. 42



    The Super Bowl is not only the biggest night in football, but also in advertising. Every year, companies shell out millions of dollars to air their commercials during the big game in hopes of capturing the attention of millions of viewers. Some commercials are memorable for their humor, creativity, and emotional impact, while others fall flat or are just plain cringeworthy.

    Here’s a ranking of the best and worst Super Bowl commercials from over the years:

    The Best:
    1. Budweiser’s “Puppy Love” (2014) – This heartwarming commercial featuring a puppy and a Clydesdale horse tugged at the heartstrings of viewers everywhere.
    2. Doritos’ “Ultrasound” (2016) – This hilarious ad showed a baby reacting to a bag of Doritos during an ultrasound, leaving viewers in stitches.
    3. Coca-Cola’s “Mean Joe Greene” (1980) – This iconic commercial featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers player sharing a Coke with a young fan is a classic.
    4. Apple’s “1984” (1984) – This groundbreaking commercial introduced the Macintosh computer and is still considered one of the best Super Bowl commercials of all time.
    5. Volkswagen’s “The Force” (2011) – This ad featuring a young Darth Vader trying to use the Force on various objects was both cute and clever.

    The Worst:
    1. GoDaddy’s “Perfect Match” (2013) – This commercial featuring supermodel Bar Refaeli kissing a nerdy guy was cringeworthy and garnered a lot of backlash.
    2. Nationwide’s “Make Safe Happen” (2015) – This somber ad about preventable childhood accidents was a major downer and did not sit well with viewers.
    3. Groupon’s “Tibet” (2011) – This controversial commercial making light of the plight of the Tibetan people did not go over well and was quickly pulled.
    4. Just for Feet’s “Kenyan Runner” (1999) – This racially insensitive commercial featuring a white man trying to outrun a group of Kenyan runners was widely criticized.
    5. Chevy’s “Blackout” (2013) – This ad tried to capitalize on the infamous Super Bowl blackout, but fell flat and was seen as opportunistic.

    Whether a Super Bowl commercial is a hit or a miss can have a lasting impact on a company’s brand. These commercials show the power of advertising to make a lasting impression on viewers, for better or for worse.

    Tags:

    super bowl commercials, best super bowl commercials, worst super bowl commercials, ranking super bowl commercials, top super bowl commercials, super bowl ad reviews, super bowl ad rankings, memorable super bowl commercials, super bowl advertising, super bowl marketing, iconic super bowl commercials, all-time best super bowl commercials, worst super bowl ad campaigns

    #Worst #Super #Bowl #Commercials #Ranked

  • Who is football’s worst transfer ever? From Neymar and Antony to Coutinho and Hazard


    Neymar has left Saudi Arabia. Antony has flown the coop — at least temporarily — from Old Trafford. Neither deal will be looked back upon particularly fondly.

    While the prices were sky-high for both players, it was the performances, or lack of them, that defined their spells at Al Hilal and Manchester United respectively. Neymar struggled with injury during his two-year spell with Al Hilal, making just three league appearances. Antony scored just five goals in 62 Premier League games for Manchester United.

    But can either of them be considered football’s worst-ever transfer? Or are there others that stand out as being significantly worse? Neymar and Antony aside, The Athletic’s experts have gone back into football history and picked the standout mistakes below.

    Alexis Sanchez, Man Utd

    There will have to be a dramatic change in fortunes for Antony to avoid the ignominy of Manchester United’s worst-ever signing, but until the Brazil international is sold, or his contract expires in June 2027, he has time to leave this accolade with Alexis Sanchez.

    A swap deal with Arsenal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan meant Sanchez could technically be considered a “free signing”, but five goals in 45 United appearances made for a meagre return.


    Sanchez was on around £350,000 per week before bonuses (Getty Images)

    But it was his wages — thought to be £350,000 per week before bonuses — that tip this deal into the “worst ever” category. Sanchez’s remuneration unsettled United’s wage structure, starting a domino effect of players asking for similar salaries. Such negotiations led to Ander Herrera leaving the club in the summer of 2019 and a huge pay rise for David de Gea, a contract that would later become an issue under Erik ten Hag. It would also have a knock-on effect for contracts handed out to Casemiro and, later on, Marcus Rashford.

    Some poor signings only last for the player’s stay at the club. Sanchez’s impact continues to be felt years after he has left.

    Carl Anka

    Philippe Coutinho, Barcelona

    As the token oldie on this panel, I really wanted to pick something from the 1980s, or perhaps from a mad period in the late 1970s, but the sad truth is that the past decade is when football’s transfer market has gone truly insane.

    Chelsea and Manchester United alone have numerous contenders for the worst, but I’m inclined to look at that late-2010s period when Barcelona completely lost the plot: Philippe Coutinho for €135million, Ousmane Dembele for €135m and then Antoine Griezmann for €120m. Excellent players, all three — and all had their moments and all won trophies — but the signings were driven by indulgence and excess. The impact on Barcelona’s finances was disastrous and could have been even worse.

    The worst deal of the three? I’m going to say Coutinho, who ended up joining Bayern Munich on loan and scoring twice in a humiliating 8-2 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final in 2020. What a perfect summary of the super-club excesses of the modern era.

    Oliver Kay

    Ali Dia, Southampton

    “Am I enjoying this? Do you enjoy a kick in the bollocks?” Graeme Souness, then Southampton’s manager, responded in 1996 after being asked about his thoughts on Ali Dia’s Premier League debut.

    Dia purportedly claimed he was a cousin of George Weah, the legendary Milan forward, who, allegedly, put in a good word at Southampton. “When someone like that gives you a recommendation, you tend to sit up and take notice,” added Souness.

    Dia was woeful and his team-mates had wondered whether he was a competition winner after watching him train for the first time. The saving grace for Southampton is that he arrived as a trialist, saving them a transfer fee, and only had to endure his 53 minutes against Leeds United, which saw him miss a glaring opportunity.

    What remains of Dia’s time on the south coast are stories of unpaid hotel bills, fanciful tales told to his team-mates, and proof that anyone can play in the Premier League if they know the right people.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    ‘It was easy to see that this guy had never been close to top level football’ – just how bad was Ali Dia?

    Dan Sheldon

    Lazar Markovic, Liverpool

    Liverpool believed they had signed one of the most exciting youngsters in European football in the summer of 2014.

    Winger Lazar Markovic completed a £20million move to Anfield after helping Benfica win a domestic treble in Portugal.

    “I can become one of the best players in the Premier League,” he told reporters. “Perhaps I am so confident because in every season I have played I have finished as a ­champion.”

    Markovic


    Markovic was very confident when he joined Liverpool (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

    Avram Grant, who had managed the Serbia international at Partizan Belgrade, added to the hype as he compared him to Lionel Messi, with the former Chelsea boss declaring: “He’s young, he’ll mature, and then nobody will be able to stop him.”

    The reality was very different and Markovic’s name sits alongside El Hadji Diouf, Alberto Aquilani, Andy Carroll and Mario Balotelli when the debate rages over Liverpool’s worst transfer flop.

    Markovic’s career on Merseyside included just 34 appearances, three goals, one assist, one red card, four loan spells and a period of training with the under-23s at the academy after being banished from the senior squad.

    He never got to grips with the physicality of English football and moaned about the weather on Merseyside. In January 2019, he was granted a free transfer and joined Fulham on a short-term deal. Now 30, he’s playing for FC Baniyas in the UAE Pro League.

    James Pearce

    Jean-Kevin Augustin, Leeds

    Leeds United paid up to £40m for Jean-Kevin Augustin to play 51 minutes for them in 2020. The then 22-year-old was initially signed on loan from RB Leipzig in 2019-20 but with an obligation to buy him for €21m if Leeds won promotion to the Premier League.

    Owner Andrea Radrizzani had also agreed to pay Augustin £93,000 per week for five years if Leeds reached the top flight. Augustin had lost his way at Leipzig but was considered one of France’s brightest prospects as a teenager. Director of football Victor Orta hoped Marcelo Bielsa could awaken that form for the Frenchman.

    Augustin was unfit and overweight by Bielsa’s austere standards when he arrived and only managed three substitute appearances before he pulled a hamstring and Covid-19 halted the campaign. He tried to mount a comeback for the restart in June 2020, but Bielsa had washed his hands of him.

    Leeds tried to argue their delayed promotion, in July 2020, absolved them of the obligation agreed with Leipzig because it was not secured before June 30, as written in the contract. FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in Leipzig’s favour. United eventually settled a £15.5million fee with the German outfit. Augustin launched his own case against Leeds after that ruling.

    FIFA found Leeds were in breach of the contract they originally agreed with Augustin and ordered the club to pay him £24.5m in compensation. An appeal against this decision was eventually dropped by Leeds. It’s unclear if Augustin settled for a lower amount, but Leeds ended the saga with tens of millions spent on a striker they barely got one half of football from.

    Beren Cross

    Danny Drinkwater, Chelsea

    There are so many chapters to this transfer disaster that you could write a book. In theory, Chelsea’s signing of Drinkwater in the summer of 2017 made sense. It gave them the chance to reunite him with N’Golo Kante as the midfield pair who helped win the title with Leicester City in 2015-16.

    But the transfer was doomed from the start. Chelsea’s prolonged negotiation over the fee ensured it was not completed until deadline day. It meant the England international missed out on Antonio Conte’s demanding pre-season training drills and, within 10 days of working with the Italian, he suffered a calf injury.

    Drinkwater went on to make just 22 appearances that season (12 starts). A 30-minute cameo off the bench in the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City in 2018 turned out to be his last appearance for the club, but he remained on their books for another four years.

    Maurizio Sarri left Drinkwater out for the rest of the 2018-19 campaign. He still made headlines. Unfortunately, it was due to being arrested for drink driving after crashing his car.

    Loans to Burnley and Aston Villa were more known for him being injured in a fight outside a nightclub, as reported by the BBC, and headbutting his team-mate, Spanish midfielder Jota, in a training session respectively.

    Two more loans at Kasimpasa and Reading followed before his Chelsea contract, where he was paid around £100,000 a week, expired in 2022.

    Simon Johnson

    Per Kroldrup, Everton

    Have you heard the one about the Premier League defender who couldn’t head the ball?

    Kroldrup arrived at Everton in the summer of 2005 with a lofty reputation; a stylish, ball-playing Danish international centre-back who cost a cool £5million. Yet it quickly became apparent to manager David Moyes and his players that they had signed a dud.

    There was one considerable problem: Kroldrup was useless in the air.

    “On his very first day, the gaffer took him to one side and started doing heading practice with him, like you would with a seven-year-old,” former team-mate Leon Osman wrote in his book, Ossie: My Autobiography. “It was a case of holding the ball, saying: ‘Are you ready? One, two, three – jump’.


    Kroldrup in action for Everton (Clive Mason/Getty Images)

    “He had obviously realised that heading wasn’t Per’s strong point. £5million for a centre-half who can’t head the ball..!”

    Kroldrup’s only appearance for Everton came in a 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Boxing Day. A month later, he was sold to Fiorentina.

    Moyes didn’t get many signings wrong in his first stint at Goodison, but this was certainly one.

    Patrick Boyland

    Eden Hazard, Real Madrid

    A record signing from the Premier League being unveiled in front of tens of thousands of supporters at the Bernabeu — the Cristiano Ronaldo parallels were clear when Eden Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea for an initial €100million ($104m; £84m at current exchange rates) in 2019.

    But Hazard did not come close to emulating Madrid’s all-time top goalscorer. The Belgian spent four injury-plagued years in the Spanish capital, managing 76 appearances and scoring seven goals. He was never the same after an innocuous challenge from Belgium team-mate Thomas Meunier in a November 2019 Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, which led to a series of problems with his right ankle.

    Turning up to his first pre-season overweight and having a relaxed attitude to physical preparation did not help Hazard’s image, but it was that ankle injury and the issues that followed that deprived Madrid fans of seeing the barnstorming winger who had torn through opposition defences for fun at Chelsea.

    “Real is special,” Hazard told France Football last year. “Afterwards, whether it corresponds to me, I don’t think so. It’s not me. It’s a bit of a show-off club and I’m not really like that… But it was my dream. I couldn’t end my career without going there.”

    Hazard terminated his Madrid deal by mutual consent in the summer of 2023, despite having a year left on his contract, and announced his retirement at 32 later that year, writing on Instagram: “You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time”. It was a sad end to what should have been the crowning moment of Hazard’s career.

    Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero

    Xisco or Ignacio Gonzalez, Newcastle United

    Worst can be measured in different ways. It could be a waste of money or a squandering of talent or, as was the case at Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United in September 2008, a decision that rippled out and led to disastrous consequences far beyond the impact or otherwise of any signing.

    Kevin Keegan, a bona fide legend at St James’ Park, was in his second stint as Newcastle’s manager when Dennis Wise, an executive director, told him that the club were bringing in two new players, Ignacio Gonzalez on loan from Valencia and Xisco from Valencia for £5.7million.

    There were a couple of problems with this. Nobody from Newcastle had seen Gonzalez play. Wise told Keegan to look him up on YouTube and later admitted it was “a favour for two agents”. Xisco was another player Keegan (as related in his autobiography) “had never heard of”.

    His position “untenable”, Keegan resigned, Newcastle supporters were incandescent, turmoil became engrained and at the end of the most toxic and chaotic season in the club’s modern history, relegation followed. Keegan later won a case for constructive dismissal, in which the club’s evidence was described as “profoundly unsatisfactory”.

    George Caulkin

    (Top photos: Getty Images)



    Football transfers can be a hit or miss, with some players flourishing at their new clubs while others failing to live up to expectations. From big-name signings to promising talents, there have been plenty of transfers that have left fans scratching their heads in disbelief.

    One of the most controversial transfers in recent memory is Neymar’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee of €222 million. While Neymar has had some impressive performances for PSG, injuries and off-field controversies have overshadowed his time at the club.

    Another high-profile transfer that didn’t quite pan out as expected is Philippe Coutinho’s move from Liverpool to Barcelona for a whopping €160 million. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Coutinho struggled to adapt to Barcelona’s style of play and was eventually loaned out to Bayern Munich.

    Antony’s move from Sao Paulo to Ajax for €15.75 million raised eyebrows, as the young Brazilian winger failed to make much of an impact at the Dutch club and was eventually sold to RB Leipzig.

    Eden Hazard’s transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid for €100 million was supposed to be a match made in heaven, but injuries have plagued the Belgian forward’s time in Spain, leading many to question whether the move was worth the hefty price tag.

    While these transfers may not have lived up to expectations, only time will tell which player will ultimately be crowned as football’s worst transfer ever. Who do you think deserves that title? Let us know in the comments below.

    Tags:

    • football transfers
    • worst transfer in football
    • Neymar transfer
    • Antony transfer
    • Coutinho transfer
    • Hazard transfer
    • football transfer flops
    • worst football signings
    • biggest transfer mistakes
    • football transfer disasters

    #footballs #worst #transfer #Neymar #Antony #Coutinho #Hazard

  • Mikel Arteta would be making the worst mistake of the season if he starts one Arsenal star vs Girona


    Arsenal travel to Spain to take on Girona in their final league phase game of this season’s Champions League.

    The Gunners have had their problems in the Premier League, but they have been fantastic in Europe. They are third in the table going into the final game week and are almost certain to automatically qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

    Girona were one of the surprise packages in La Liga last season. They finished third, but things have been a bit more difficult this campaign – they are currently eighth in Spain and 31st in the Champions League.

    Arsenal, however, are still expected to name a strong lineup, but one player simply must not play on Wednesday night.

    Mikel Arteta should rest Kai Havertz for Girona vs Arsenal

    Kai Havertz is one of Arsenal’s most important players.

    The Germany international has played 31 games in all competitions for Arsenal this season, and he has barely had a break recently.

    Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka’s injuries have forced him to play every minute of every game over the last few weeks, and that has not been ideal at all.

    At the end of the win against Wolves last weekend, Havertz looked shattered and fell to the ground right after the full-time whistle. Two Arsenal physios had to help him up.

    It is clear that Havertz needs a break.

    Yes, Arsenal don’t have a proper replacement for him, but pushing him to start against Girona in a game in which a point is enough to qualify would be silly.

    If Arteta risks Havertz and the German gets injured, it would make the decision the worst of the season by a country mile.

    That cannot happen. Arsenal’s season will be over on all fronts if they lose Havertz.

    READ MORE: The big Kai Havertz stat which proves he is an unfair scapegoat at Arsenal

    Kai Havertz of Arsenal lies injured during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Arsenal FC at Molineux on January 25, 20...
    Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

    Arsenal have an academy star who can replace Kai Havertz vs Girona

    Jesus’ injury means Arsenal don’t have a natural centre-forward right now.

    Leandro Trossard can play there as a false nine, while Gabriel Martinelli can also slot in to replace Havertz if he is rested on Wednesday night.

    However, there is also an Arsenal Academy graduate who deserves a chance.

    Nathan Butler-Oyedeji came on as a substitute in Arsenal’s last Champions League game, and we think he should get a start against Girona.

    However, whether Arteta will consider that remains to be seen.

    Related Topics





    In an upcoming friendly match against Girona, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would be making the worst mistake of the season if he decides to start one particular Arsenal star. This player has been underperforming consistently and has failed to impress in recent matches.

    Despite being given multiple chances to prove himself, this player has failed to deliver the level of performance expected from an Arsenal player. Starting him in a match against Girona would not only jeopardize the team’s chances of winning but also send a message that poor performances will be tolerated.

    It is crucial for Arteta to make tough decisions and prioritize the team’s success over individual interests. By benching this underperforming star and giving other players a chance to shine, Arteta can show that mediocrity will not be accepted at Arsenal.

    Ultimately, Arteta’s decision to start this player against Girona could have serious repercussions for the team’s performance and morale. It is imperative that he makes the right choice and puts the team’s success first.

    Tags:

    Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Girona, starting lineup, mistake, football, Premier League, tactical error, player selection, match analysis

    #Mikel #Arteta #making #worst #mistake #season #starts #Arsenal #star #Girona

  • Preparing for the Worst: Strategies for Effective Disaster Recovery

    Preparing for the Worst: Strategies for Effective Disaster Recovery


    In today’s unpredictable world, it is important for individuals and organizations to be prepared for the worst. Disasters can strike at any time, whether it be a natural disaster like a hurricane or earthquake, or a man-made disaster like a cyber attack or data breach. No matter the cause, having a solid disaster recovery plan in place can mean the difference between quickly getting back on your feet or facing long-term consequences.

    One of the first steps in preparing for a disaster is to conduct a risk assessment. This involves identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities that could impact your organization, as well as assessing the potential impact of these threats. By understanding the risks you face, you can develop a more effective disaster recovery plan that addresses your specific needs and priorities.

    Once you have identified your risks, it is important to develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. This plan should outline the steps you will take to respond to a disaster, including how you will secure your data, communicate with employees and stakeholders, and ensure business continuity. It is important to establish clear roles and responsibilities for all employees involved in the disaster recovery process, as well as to regularly test and update your plan to ensure its effectiveness.

    In addition to having a solid disaster recovery plan in place, it is also important to have the right tools and resources on hand to help you respond to a disaster quickly and effectively. This may include having backup systems in place to protect your data, as well as access to emergency communication tools and resources.

    Another essential component of effective disaster recovery is having a strong relationship with key stakeholders, including vendors, customers, and government agencies. By working closely with these partners, you can ensure that you have the support and resources you need to respond to a disaster and minimize its impact on your organization.

    In conclusion, preparing for the worst requires careful planning and preparation. By conducting a risk assessment, developing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, and having the right tools and resources on hand, you can better protect your organization from the unexpected. Remember, disasters can strike at any time, so it is important to be proactive in preparing for the worst and ensuring that you are ready to respond quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.

  • Preparing for the Worst: The Benefits of Disaster Recovery Testing

    Preparing for the Worst: The Benefits of Disaster Recovery Testing


    In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, businesses rely heavily on their IT systems to operate efficiently and effectively. However, with the increasing frequency of natural disasters, cyber attacks, and other unforeseen events, it is crucial for companies to have a solid disaster recovery plan in place.

    Disaster recovery testing is a critical component of any comprehensive disaster recovery plan. It involves simulating various disaster scenarios to ensure that the organization’s IT systems can be restored quickly and efficiently in the event of a real disaster. While the thought of preparing for the worst may seem daunting, the benefits of disaster recovery testing far outweigh the challenges.

    One of the primary benefits of disaster recovery testing is that it helps to identify and address weaknesses in the organization’s disaster recovery plan. By simulating different disaster scenarios, businesses can pinpoint vulnerabilities in their IT systems, processes, and procedures. This allows them to make necessary adjustments and improvements to ensure that they are fully prepared for any potential disaster.

    Additionally, disaster recovery testing helps to minimize downtime in the event of a disaster. By regularly testing the organization’s disaster recovery plan, businesses can ensure that their IT systems can be quickly restored and operational again. This can help to minimize the financial impact of a disaster and maintain customer trust and loyalty.

    Furthermore, disaster recovery testing can help businesses comply with industry regulations and standards. Many industries, such as healthcare and finance, have strict regulations regarding data protection and disaster recovery planning. By regularly testing their disaster recovery plan, businesses can demonstrate their compliance with these regulations and avoid costly fines and penalties.

    Overall, disaster recovery testing is an essential aspect of any comprehensive disaster recovery plan. By simulating various disaster scenarios and identifying weaknesses in the organization’s IT systems, businesses can ensure that they are fully prepared for any potential disaster. This can help to minimize downtime, maintain customer trust, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. In today’s unpredictable world, preparing for the worst through disaster recovery testing is a smart and necessary investment for businesses of all sizes.

  • Preparing for the Worst: How to Develop a Comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan

    Preparing for the Worst: How to Develop a Comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan


    In today’s unpredictable world, it is essential for businesses to have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place. Disasters can strike at any time, whether it be a natural disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake, or a man-made disaster such as a cyber attack or data breach. Having a well-thought-out plan in place can mean the difference between a business bouncing back quickly or suffering irreparable damage.

    Developing a disaster recovery plan requires careful planning and coordination across all levels of an organization. Here are some key steps to consider when developing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan:

    1. Identify potential risks: The first step in developing a disaster recovery plan is to identify potential risks that could impact your business. This could include natural disasters, cyber attacks, equipment failures, or even human error. By understanding the potential risks, you can better prepare for them and mitigate their impact.

    2. Assess critical functions and resources: Once you have identified potential risks, it is important to assess your critical functions and resources that are essential for your business to operate. This could include key personnel, IT systems, data, and physical assets. By prioritizing these functions and resources, you can ensure that they are protected and restored in the event of a disaster.

    3. Develop a communication plan: Communication is key during a disaster, both internally within your organization and externally with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Develop a communication plan that outlines how information will be shared during a disaster, who is responsible for communicating with whom, and how updates will be provided.

    4. Implement backup and recovery solutions: To ensure that your critical data and systems are protected, it is important to implement backup and recovery solutions. This could include offsite backups, cloud storage, redundant systems, and regular testing of your backup and recovery processes.

    5. Train your staff: Your employees are a critical part of your disaster recovery plan. Make sure that they are trained on how to respond in the event of a disaster, including their roles and responsibilities, evacuation procedures, and how to access critical systems and data.

    6. Test and update your plan regularly: A disaster recovery plan is only effective if it is regularly tested and updated. Conduct regular drills and exercises to ensure that your plan is effective and that your staff is prepared to respond in the event of a disaster. Update your plan as needed based on lessons learned from these exercises and changes in your business operations.

    By following these steps and developing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, your business can better prepare for the worst and minimize the impact of a disaster. Remember, it is not a matter of if a disaster will strike, but when. It is important to be proactive and prepared to ensure the continuity of your business operations in the face of adversity.

  • Preparing for the Worst: Key Considerations for Business Continuity Planning

    Preparing for the Worst: Key Considerations for Business Continuity Planning


    In today’s unpredictable world, businesses must be prepared for any eventuality that could disrupt their operations. From natural disasters to cyber attacks, there are numerous threats that can impact a company’s ability to function effectively. That’s why business continuity planning is essential for organizations of all sizes.

    Business continuity planning involves developing a strategy to ensure that a company can continue to operate in the event of a crisis or disaster. This includes identifying potential risks, creating a plan to address them, and implementing measures to mitigate their impact. By preparing for the worst, businesses can minimize downtime, protect their assets, and maintain their reputation with customers and stakeholders.

    One key consideration for business continuity planning is identifying potential risks. This includes both internal and external threats that could disrupt operations, such as natural disasters, power outages, cyber attacks, and supply chain disruptions. By conducting a thorough risk assessment, businesses can prioritize their efforts and develop a plan that addresses the most critical threats.

    Another important aspect of business continuity planning is creating a response plan. This includes outlining the steps that will be taken in the event of a crisis, such as activating emergency protocols, communicating with employees and stakeholders, and implementing backup systems. By having a clear and detailed response plan in place, businesses can minimize confusion and ensure a swift and coordinated response to any situation.

    Additionally, businesses must consider the importance of testing and updating their business continuity plans regularly. This includes conducting drills and simulations to ensure that employees are familiar with their roles and responsibilities in an emergency, as well as revisiting and revising the plan as needed to address any new threats or vulnerabilities that may arise.

    In conclusion, preparing for the worst is a critical aspect of business continuity planning. By identifying potential risks, creating a response plan, and testing and updating the plan regularly, businesses can ensure that they are well-equipped to handle any crisis or disaster that comes their way. By investing in business continuity planning, companies can protect their assets, maintain their operations, and safeguard their reputation in the face of adversity.

  • Preparing for the Worst: Tips for Disaster Recovery and Data Backup

    Preparing for the Worst: Tips for Disaster Recovery and Data Backup


    In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, businesses rely heavily on their data to operate efficiently and effectively. However, disasters can strike at any moment, whether it be a natural disaster like a hurricane or a man-made disaster like a cyber-attack. It is crucial for businesses to have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place to ensure that their data is protected and can be quickly restored in the event of a disaster.

    One of the key components of a disaster recovery plan is data backup. Data backup involves making copies of your data and storing them in a separate location from your primary data storage. This ensures that if your primary data storage is compromised in a disaster, you still have access to your data and can quickly restore it to get your business back up and running.

    There are several tips for disaster recovery and data backup that businesses should keep in mind when preparing for the worst:

    1. Regularly back up your data: It is important to regularly back up your data to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information in the event of a disaster. This can be done manually or automatically using backup software.

    2. Store backups in a secure location: It is crucial to store your backups in a secure location, preferably offsite from your primary data storage. This ensures that your backups are not affected by the same disaster that impacts your primary data storage.

    3. Test your backups regularly: It is not enough to simply create backups of your data; you must also test them regularly to ensure that they can be quickly and easily restored in the event of a disaster. This will help you identify any issues with your backups and address them before a disaster strikes.

    4. Consider cloud backup solutions: Cloud backup solutions offer a convenient and secure way to back up your data offsite. With cloud backup, your data is stored in a secure data center and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

    5. Implement a disaster recovery plan: In addition to having a solid data backup strategy, businesses should also have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place. This plan should outline the steps that need to be taken to recover your data and get your business back up and running in the event of a disaster.

    By following these tips for disaster recovery and data backup, businesses can ensure that their data is protected and can be quickly restored in the event of a disaster. Being prepared for the worst can help businesses minimize downtime and avoid costly data loss, ultimately allowing them to continue operating smoothly and efficiently.

  • Preparing for the Worst: A Guide to Disaster Recovery for Small Businesses

    Preparing for the Worst: A Guide to Disaster Recovery for Small Businesses


    Disasters can strike at any time, and small businesses are not immune to their devastating effects. From natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes to man-made events such as cyber attacks and data breaches, it is crucial for small businesses to have a plan in place for disaster recovery.

    Preparing for the worst can seem like a daunting task, but with the right strategies and tools in place, small businesses can minimize their losses and recover quickly from any disaster. Here is a guide to disaster recovery for small businesses:

    1. Identify and assess risks: The first step in disaster recovery planning is to identify and assess potential risks to your business. This includes natural disasters, cyber attacks, and other threats that could disrupt your operations. Conduct a risk assessment to determine the likelihood and impact of each potential disaster.

    2. Develop a disaster recovery plan: Once you have identified the risks, create a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that outlines the steps your business will take in the event of a disaster. This plan should include procedures for evacuating employees, securing data and assets, and communicating with customers and suppliers.

    3. Backup your data: Data loss can be a major setback for small businesses, so it is essential to regularly back up your data to a secure location. Consider using cloud-based storage solutions to ensure that your data is safe and accessible in the event of a disaster.

    4. Test your plan: It is important to regularly test your disaster recovery plan to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date. Conduct drills and simulations to practice your response to different types of disasters and identify any areas that need improvement.

    5. Communicate with stakeholders: In the event of a disaster, communication is key. Make sure to keep your employees, customers, and suppliers informed of your business’s status and recovery efforts. Provide updates regularly to maintain trust and transparency.

    6. Consider insurance: Small businesses should consider investing in insurance policies that cover a wide range of disasters, including property damage, business interruption, and cyber liability. Insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind in the event of a disaster.

    7. Seek assistance: In the aftermath of a disaster, small businesses may need assistance in recovering and rebuilding. Reach out to government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other resources for support and guidance on disaster recovery efforts.

    Preparing for the worst is essential for small businesses to ensure their survival and success in the face of disasters. By developing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, backing up data, testing procedures, communicating effectively, and seeking assistance when needed, small businesses can minimize their losses and recover quickly from any disaster.

  • Andraya Carter on John Calipari: ‘The worst thing you can do after a breakup is show up to the club with a downgrade’


    John Calipari makes his highly-anticipated return to Rupp Arena on Saturday night wearing Arkansas red along with a handful of former Kentucky players and one-time recruits. One of the biggest topics of debate has been what Big Blue Nation’s reaction should be coming in.

    ESPN’s Andraya Carter used an interesting analogy to describe why she believes BBN won’t be exactly welcoming of their old head coach. If Arkansas hadn’t lost six of its first seven games in SEC play, the argument would be a bit different.

    “The only thing that’s really going to make it feel better is if [Arkansas] can shut the crowd up,” Carter said. “If his team can go out there and perform to a level where the crowd can’t even get into it — but that’s going to be the struggle.

    “Listen, the worst thing you can do after a breakup is show up to the club with a downgrade. … Like y’all know when you show up to the bar, your new isn’t as good as your old was, and everybody’s just looking at you like — you have to show up with an upgrade. That’s the only way everybody is quiet. So, if Arkansas could come in and shut the crowd up by playing at a high level, that is the only thing.”

    Kentucky fans will remember Rick Pitino’s first time back in Rupp Arena in 2001, coming out of the UK tunnel to the chorus of 20,000 booing fans in the arena. However, he returned as the head coach of Kentucky’s most bitter rival, Louisville. While Arkansas is still a fellow SEC school, the rivalry does not have ties as deep as the battle for the Bluegrass.

    On one hand, Calipari is the man who took Kentucky to even Elite Eight’s, four Final Four’s, two national title appearances and the 2012 NCAA Championship. He won 410 games, contributing to Ketucky’s status as one of the all-time winningest program in college basketball history and is the program’s second all-time winningest head coach behind Adolph Rupp.

    On the other, some fans feel as though Calipari left UK high and dry just days after going on a local news station with AD Mitch Barnhart to reaffirm his commitment to the program. Some fans haven’t gotten the bitter taste of the last five years worth of postseason woes out of their mouths, either.

    No matter which side of BBN you’re on, everyone inside Rupp Arena will want to send the Razorbacks back to Fayetteville with a loss. For Arkansas, there’s nothing they’d want more than to play spoiler in an arena where Calipari has won in more than any head coach in history.



    Andraya Carter on John Calipari: ‘The worst thing you can do after a breakup is show up to the club with a downgrade’

    Former University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball player Andraya Carter recently shared her thoughts on her former coach, John Calipari, in a candid interview. When asked about Calipari’s decision to leave Tennessee for Kentucky in 2009, Carter didn’t hold back.

    “The worst thing you can do after a breakup is show up to the club with a downgrade,” Carter said. “And that’s exactly what Calipari did when he left Tennessee for Kentucky. He went from coaching a legendary program like the Lady Vols to a program like Kentucky. It just doesn’t make sense.”

    Carter, who now works as a basketball analyst, went on to criticize Calipari’s coaching style and recruiting tactics, saying that he prioritizes winning over player development and character. She also expressed disappointment in how Calipari handled his departure from Tennessee, saying that he could have handled it with more grace and respect.

    Despite her criticisms, Carter acknowledged Calipari’s success at Kentucky and his ability to recruit top talent. However, she believes that his coaching philosophy and approach to the game could use some improvement.

    Overall, Carter’s comments shed light on the complexities of coaching in college basketball and the impact that a coach’s decisions can have on players and programs. It’s clear that she still holds strong opinions about Calipari and his coaching career, and she’s not afraid to speak her mind about it.

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