Who will win this years World Championship?

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First topic message reminder :

Who's your favourite for this years title ?

One of the seeds ? Or will it be a qualifier ?


We're almost down to the last 4, so let us know who you think will finally clinch it.

If Robbo gets even then i think that Ronnie may get down, if Ronnie gets a couple of frames then he will win

The closer this match is the more Matthew Stevens will fancy his chances in the semis as he had a cruise through to the semis in his quarter so will surely be feeling the fresher considering he isn't playing this evening. Likewise in the other half the same could be said for Stephen Maguire. I fancy his chances now to reach his first world final but still have my doubts about his big match temperament.

Or Stevens and Maguire might be undercooked as they haven't had as much of a challenge? could be a fine line really as to how they handle themselves.

Good point rugbydreamer but mental freshness at this stage is always a bonus. Stevens and Maguire will be the freshest and the other semi-finalists look like being the more battle-hardened.

rugbydreamer wrote:Or Stevens and Maguire might be undercooked as they haven't had as much of a challenge? could be a fine line really as to how they handle themselves.

Both Matthew Stevens and to an extent Stephen Maguire have question marks hanging over them about their ability to close out a long match, as both have blown chances to to get to a world final. Stevens blew his chance V Peter Ebdon in 2002, whilst Maguire famously blew his chance V John Higgins in 2007 after leading 14-10 at one stage of his semi-final.

I remember that 2002 final very well

I just think that those that are going to have come through a really tough match will be better off. Nerves play a big factor in the SF and Final and for those that have already had to fight back could well be better prepared for it although I completely see and even agree to an extent with your point Craig.

It'll be very interesting finding out anyways!

I would love Stevens to win. He is one of the best players never to win it. The loss of his dad really affected him and then the loss of his mate Paul Hunter. I would love to see him do it for them.

Stevens + Jimmy the best players never to win it. Anyone else get to more than 1 final and never win the tournament?

I really hope Stevens doesn't end up like Jimmy with never winning it, it makes me enough that Jimmy never has!

Hmm TSC that's a good question....struggling to think of anyone else really. hmmm.....

TSC wrote:Stevens + Jimmy the best players never to win it. Anyone else get to more than 1 final and never win the tournament?

Eddie Charlton was beaten in two finals as well.

I'm missing someone obvious.

Robbo has a game plan tonight. I hope he can carry it out.

A few have been finalists a few times then went on to win the title.

A golden chance now for Robbo. Must take this.

And Robbo obliges and back to trailing by one frame at 8-9.

And has. His gameplan is working.

Jamie Jones looks like someone they've dragged out of a Wetherspoons after a funeral. He looks psychotic at times.

Robertson certainly seems to be "maximising" his table time! When Carter did it against Trump the pundits called it hard snooker. Be interesting if they reckon it's gamesmanship when Robbo does the same against O'Sullivan.

Personally I hated it when Carter did it but I'm all in favour for Robbo. Me biased? Never.

hibbz- noone will bat an eyelid, its very normal for all of ronnies oppenents to look like there are taking there time, and also actually take there time.

standard practise really

TSC wrote:Jamie Jones looks like someone they've dragged out of a Wetherspoons after a funeral. He looks psychotic at times.

Sure, isn't he from Neath?

Ronnie hits back to lead 10-8. Robbo needs the next two frames badly me thinks.

I wouldn't miss with him or his quiff.

go ronnie- beautiful stuff.

this is 5 star snooker and sexy to boot

Pffff Neil should know better. Lack of concentration has cost him dearly. As mentioned, he needs the next 2 or it is curtains.

Agreed Mysti, reckon it's why Williams' record is so poor against Ronnie. Refuses to resort to those tactics. More fool him.

Impossible to slow the game down from your seat though.

I see that Ronnie's fans have been receiving a bad press again, have to say that I was at both his weekend sessions and there was no more noise at them than than the session I was also at involving Higginson and Jones.

And yes Billy that was just an excuse to mention that I was at The Crucible last weekend!!

This is a class match and in fairness i cant see a better one this WC.

wow the way that white ball stuck on robbos stun into the pack- that table must be mint

All the Jamie Jones fans are total thugs It's a really entertaining match.

Neil, stop missing!!!!

Bad miss that. A bit like onethis afternoon. It followed after he had sunk a pressure pot and perhaps he just relaxes too much and doesn't give the next shot due care and attention.

Hibbz wrote:Agreed Mysti, reckon it's why Williams' record is so poor against Ronnie. Refuses to resort to those tactics. More fool him.

Impossible to slow the game down from your seat though.

I see that Ronnie's fans have been receiving a bad press again, have to say that I was at both his weekend sessions and there was no more noise at them than than the session I was also at involving Higginson and Jones.

And yes Billy that was just an excuse to mention that I was at The Crucible last weekend!!

williams plays his own game and he has been very succesfull, i respect him for that- as does all the top players like hendry,davies and ronnie

This will hurt. A dagger through the heart me thinks for Robbo.

Pfff I hope he does lose now. Serves him right. Unlucky with the consecutive kicks but still.....

Carter 10-7 Jones.

How's Jones plaiyng, TSC? you reckon he can get back in this one and win?

It was a hugely scrappy affair in the previous frame which Carter won. Might be a killer blow but we shall see.

Curtains for Mr Robbo now.

the biggest problem with ronnie is that when you watch him at his best you dont wanna go back to watching any one else. he is like champane, like lobster, like 35 day aged hereford beef, like 24 year old glenmorange, basically you get the picture

btw i have no idea why so many are cheering against him. surely we are hear to watch snooker- and this is real snooker!

its gold

Yes that is it. Can't see anyway back now for Robbo trailing 12-8. In the other match I am pretty sure Ali Carter's big match experience will pull him through.

Might as well start engraving the trophy now. If he keeps this up no one left in the tournament will stop him.

Mystiroakey there are many mentioned reasons listed here why people are shouting against him. His disrespectful fans, his constant snipes at opponents, his run ins with refs and officials, his smug and far from smart remarks attempting to have a joke at Hendry's expense, his gross under-achieving in the sport, his contant 'I have had enough' comments, quitting matches when they are still in progress. Shall I go on?

Yes that is it. Can't see anyway back now for Robbo trailing 12-8. In the other match I am pretty sure Ali Carter's big match experience will pull him through.

I felt Robbo's game would be found out by Ronnie, nearly always lost to him. Carter seems to play too defensive when he has a few frames lead, and lets the opponent get closer. :\

Can't stop singing "Ali Carter" to the tune of "Firestarter"...

I'm cheering against O'Sullivan because he's a really nasty piece of work. Banned from my snooker club as a teenager because he had what he called a "glass fight" with his mates. Basically involved throwing glasses at each other in a crowded room.

TSC wrote:Might as well start engraving the trophy now. If he keeps this up no one left in the tournament will stop him.

Lets be honest Robbo has partly dug his own grave in this match with his poorer than normal standard. Who else stands in Ronnie's way? Matthew Stevens and Stephen Maguire I'd say and....Ronnie himself who can often implode at any given time.

btw i have no idea why so many are cheering against him. surely we are hear to watch snooker- and this is real snooker!

its gold

Its because he's bullying Robbo, they want the bully to get hit back. :\

Matthew Stevens and Stephen Maguire I'd say and....Ronnie himself who can often implode at any given time.

Both not got great records against Ronnie.. strangely I think of the 4 remaining players he could meet, Jamie Jones might give him the hardest challenge..

Absolutely but Ronnie's sprinting around the table in vintage form. Of course I'll cheer Matchu and Stephen/Ali/Jamie on but you never know. Ronnie hasn't had a bad session yet and everyone is due one. Let's hope it's 8-0 to Matchu

Oh i get all of that and i have a pop about him at the time - however what we are watching is gold, and he hasnt done anything wrong this year.

If any other player was doing this i would be saying the same. At least ronnie has given us fans back so much more than he has detremented the game- could the same be said for maquire of higgins(bet cheats)- well no, and they dont get the hate on here.

however at the same time i enjoy both of those players when they are in full flow, not as much as ronnie mind, not because i prefer ronnie- but because they cant play like him on this stage!

Its golden snooker, i love it. hate all you want because of the past, thats not my bag. I like it, This is what i watch snooker for and why i play the game

hate all you want because of the past, thats not my bag.

Everyone seems to hate Higgins because of his past.. so why should Ronnie be different?

no one hates higgins on here and i dont either- i mentioned him as an example in my post.

I think Ronnie's a brilliant snooker player but I don't like him. Is that a crime?

I think Ronnie's a brilliant snooker player but I don't like him. Is that a crime?

He's played as well this tournament as in 2008 when he won it. But I don't like him either (his annoying fans, his threats to quit, things he said about Selby, Hendry.)

It is gold through the eyes of a Ronnie fan and other players have their spells as well which you wouldn't call gold which is unfair. Stacks of quality players out there and where they may not have the natural talent of Ronnie they have a better temperament, mental disciplines etc. Snooker is a game of the mind and Ronnie is mentally weak compared to past greats Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry and face it he will never be a great ambassador of the sport due to his numerous past demeanours. I like my snooker idols to uphold the spirit of the game and in my opinion Ronnie doesn't do that. The most naturally-gifted player ever but attitude stinks at times.