Ben Meakin
@bnmkn.bsky.social
Freelance Copywriter, plays games, watches sport, does BladesPod and writes WOMEN OF STEEL: http://womenofsteel.substack.com
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Ben Meakin
@bnmkn.bsky.social
· Dec 31
Alright, it's New Year's Eve, and that can mean only one thing... my annual run-down of every game I played a meaningful amount of in 2025! That was a hell of a year for gaming, I'd say. Here we go, in no particular order 🧵:
Reposted by Ben Meakin
Either the animated sequence in the Olympics opening ceremony is a weird tribute to AI slop, or it's an insult to Italian artists and animators. In any case, it's in poor taste.
February 6, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Either the animated sequence in the Olympics opening ceremony is a weird tribute to AI slop, or it's an insult to Italian artists and animators. In any case, it's in poor taste.
Reposted by Ben Meakin
Reposted by Ben Meakin
I don’t want to laugh at a small business but also VERY funny
February 6, 2026 at 1:40 PM
I don’t want to laugh at a small business but also VERY funny
I think this was a sensible approach for United to take this window. The first 11-13 players make a pretty competitive, settled side - the problem has been an incredibly thin bench. Unlike last year that's down to injury rather than talent, so padding out our short-term depth looks good to me.
That January window in full:
🦊 Simone Sherwood, DF / MF, Leicester City (loan)
🐦 Lia O'Leary, MF / FWD, Bristol City (loan)
🚜 Shauna Guyatt, MF, Ipswich Town (loan)
👹 Scarlett Hill, DF, Manchester United (loan)
🦊 Simone Sherwood, DF / MF, Leicester City (loan)
🐦 Lia O'Leary, MF / FWD, Bristol City (loan)
🚜 Shauna Guyatt, MF, Ipswich Town (loan)
👹 Scarlett Hill, DF, Manchester United (loan)
February 6, 2026 at 10:29 AM
I think this was a sensible approach for United to take this window. The first 11-13 players make a pretty competitive, settled side - the problem has been an incredibly thin bench. Unlike last year that's down to injury rather than talent, so padding out our short-term depth looks good to me.
First of three deadline day signings for United Women, who've been desperately short of bodies outside of the first XI for the last few months. Phew!
✍️ United have signed Ireland youth international Lia O'Leary on loan from Bristol City for the rest of the season. 19 year old O'Leary is a former teammate of Joy Ralph's, and can play as a winger or forward.
More details: www.sufc.co.uk/news/2026/fe...
More details: www.sufc.co.uk/news/2026/fe...
February 5, 2026 at 7:17 PM
First of three deadline day signings for United Women, who've been desperately short of bodies outside of the first XI for the last few months. Phew!
Been so close to buying this on PC for ages, instabuy on Switch 🤩
February 5, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Been so close to buying this on PC for ages, instabuy on Switch 🤩
Out of nowhere! Yes please
February 3, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Out of nowhere! Yes please
Reposted by Ben Meakin
🗞️ New edition of WOMEN OF STEEL just dropped, reviewing an excellent draw with leaders Charlton 🙌
It's also transfer deadline day for WSL and WSL2, so I'll have my eyes open for any late moves by the Blades:
womenofsteel.substack.com/p/md14-blade...
It's also transfer deadline day for WSL and WSL2, so I'll have my eyes open for any late moves by the Blades:
womenofsteel.substack.com/p/md14-blade...
MD14: Blades hold league leaders at the Lane
United draw 1-1 with WSL2 leaders Charlton in an entertaining encounter
womenofsteel.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:23 AM
🗞️ New edition of WOMEN OF STEEL just dropped, reviewing an excellent draw with leaders Charlton 🙌
It's also transfer deadline day for WSL and WSL2, so I'll have my eyes open for any late moves by the Blades:
womenofsteel.substack.com/p/md14-blade...
It's also transfer deadline day for WSL and WSL2, so I'll have my eyes open for any late moves by the Blades:
womenofsteel.substack.com/p/md14-blade...
Reposted by Ben Meakin
Take me down to the Parallax city where the far moves slow and the near moves quickly
February 1, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Take me down to the Parallax city where the far moves slow and the near moves quickly
While United's men's and women's teams are both probably finishing midtable, it is enjoyable that maybe 3 of our 4 most fun players are academy products (Andre Brooks, Femi Seriki and Tilly Bristow)
Another stellar performance from teenager Tilly Bristow today in midfield. Won 10/11 duels and was fouled 4 times, both the most by any player. Some great bursts through the middle too, all against the best team in the league.
February 1, 2026 at 4:59 PM
While United's men's and women's teams are both probably finishing midtable, it is enjoyable that maybe 3 of our 4 most fun players are academy products (Andre Brooks, Femi Seriki and Tilly Bristow)
Long have I waited for this day
The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth soundtrack featuring 175 songs is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and more: https://www.rpgsite.net/news/19473-final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-soundtrack-spotify-apple-music-full-album-streaming
January 30, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Long have I waited for this day
Christ that was heavy 😩
January 29, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Christ that was heavy 😩
Reposted by Ben Meakin
recorded a Windows 95 full disk defrag to soothe your timeline.
January 29, 2026 at 9:48 AM
recorded a Windows 95 full disk defrag to soothe your timeline.
Reposted by Ben Meakin
Lots of thoughts on the Blades hiring a new head coach in this week's newsletter, plus a fantastic result for the U21s:
open.substack.com/pub/womenofs...
open.substack.com/pub/womenofs...
MD13: United fall at Forest; Stephen Healy appointed new head coach
Goal-shy Blades slip to a 1-0 defeat at Forest, hours after revealing that their search for a new head coach has ended with Stephen Healy's appointment
open.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Lots of thoughts on the Blades hiring a new head coach in this week's newsletter, plus a fantastic result for the U21s:
open.substack.com/pub/womenofs...
open.substack.com/pub/womenofs...
THREE HOUR Zodiac episode of Rewatchables 😵💫🫡
January 26, 2026 at 3:08 PM
THREE HOUR Zodiac episode of Rewatchables 😵💫🫡
Reposted by Ben Meakin
The Patriots and Drake Maye are headed to the Super Bowl.
January 25, 2026 at 11:03 PM
The Patriots and Drake Maye are headed to the Super Bowl.
Young lad with the stiff arm!
January 25, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Young lad with the stiff arm!
Denver have to kick from wherever surely. Patriots aren't going 40+ yards the other way
January 25, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Denver have to kick from wherever surely. Patriots aren't going 40+ yards the other way
This is, once again, very tense
January 25, 2026 at 10:42 PM
This is, once again, very tense
Stidham might have actually thrown the ball better than Maye tonight, well apart from that meltdown moment in the first half
January 25, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Stidham might have actually thrown the ball better than Maye tonight, well apart from that meltdown moment in the first half
Not enough evidence to overturn
January 25, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Not enough evidence to overturn
Patriots getting to the end of the half tied 7-7 did not feel likely for the majority of it
January 25, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Patriots getting to the end of the half tied 7-7 did not feel likely for the majority of it
6yo with a PB in her 50th junior park run this morning 💪 (finished just behind Jess Ennis' daughter, we'll get her next time)
January 25, 2026 at 7:53 PM
6yo with a PB in her 50th junior park run this morning 💪 (finished just behind Jess Ennis' daughter, we'll get her next time)
@harveyhinkler.bsky.social unironically, that Sunderland goal today is one of my favourite goals of the season so far. Magnificent sport
January 25, 2026 at 5:52 PM
@harveyhinkler.bsky.social unironically, that Sunderland goal today is one of my favourite goals of the season so far. Magnificent sport