Who will win this years World Championship?

First topic message reminder :

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.

Wow. Wow wow wow. How did he miss that? How did they both miss them??

oh my god- this is a joke

Ok what is going on here? I could have potted those balls

well anyway this is ronnies bad session??

yet he is still gonna go in ahead

No because he hasn't played badly (well up until now he had played well). Looks a bit edgy. He knows Matchu is playing badly and there's that bit of extra pressure on him to get a big lead.

he has played shocking TSC, what snooker do you watch?

he only got the first because stevens gifted him, then in the second he almost gave away the frame when being a snooker up, he played ok in the next and then since then insanely scrappy.

seriously what the heck are you watching.

he has p-layed very well before this match- but this has been awfull

Changed your tune now haven't you? Uh oh.

There haven't been many chances to score heavily in this match, highest break is only 66 or something.

When the heck have i changed my tune? Seriously what are you talking about

i dont understand what you mean by chances- players make there own chances, there has been a lack of breaks because the players keep playing awfull shots!

have you ever played this game?

I think some of Ronnie's positional play tonight has been great.

If I'm honest, Matchu might be slightly disappointed with 5-3 considering he had a good chance to win the penultimate frame.

Anyway, goodnight

no it really hasnt its been bad quality positional play.

mainly to do with the cloth, but it got to all 4 players and then they made it worse

Ronnie is playing a bit slower than usual, might be a bit tired. Stevens did well to get to 3-5 after being 4-0 down.

mainly to do with the cloth

Would say its more to do with both playing yesterday and feeling the affects today.. not as fresh as previous matches.

yeah i think there were all fatigued- however all played poorly and no one got used to that cloth.

tight cloth doesnt just affect speed of positional play, the way balls react, the way balls split- it also requires better timing on the pots or you can place unwanted side. And then the side is exagerated

if there wernt faitgued they would have played better

if they had the same cloth as yesterday they would have played better

Probably been mentioned but Jamie Jones is listed as a 114 highest tournament break in 6 years of pro snooker. And in one tournament (the biggest) gets 101, 127, 134, 135, 136 and 138?

Thats some serious improvement...!

Sounds like Stevens did well to get back to 5-3. I picked a 5-3 for Ronnie as i thought that it would take some time for Stevens to get into the match.

The snooker thread the last 3-4 days hasnt been much fun, far too much aggression entering into the discussion. Sad because this was going along really well with some great banter at first.

Jamie Jones has come along in leaps and bounds Taylorman. I knew virtually nothing of him last year but this year has come along nicely.

Everyone raves about Brecel, he is very good, and says that he is going to be a shoe in for the world titel one day. Although i wont write that off, i still think that he will struggle somewhat on the main tour. He is only young and if he gets beaten alot then i am not sure how he will take it. Time will tell though.

No one could rack up a big break all evening billy. Well done to Matchu winning 3 of the last 4 frames, it could well have been 5-3 to him but he's very much alive.

Probably been mentioned but Jamie Jones is listed as a 114 highest tournament break in 6 years of pro snooker. And in one tournament (the biggest) gets 101, 127, 134, 135, 136 and 138?

Yea i've been surprised by how good Jones' breakbuilding has been. Reminds me of when Martin Gould qualified in 2010 and couldn't stop potting!

Josiah Maiestas wrote:No one could rack up a big break all evening billy. Well done to Matchu winning 3 of the last 4 frames, it could well have been 5-3 to him but he's very much alive.

It seemed like that in the first 4 frames that i saw.

I am just over the moon that Stevens is in a Semi Final again so he cant do any wrong in my eyes

jamie jones is a top talent, seems like the new welsh wizard.. future looks good for him. Just wasnt up to the task of putting good play into consitancy this time around.

He is the trump of this years event thats for sure. I think brecel is raved about because is so young and continental european, very rare combination in snooker and a great market to tap into, however if one of many chinese talents,jones and trump really fullfill there potentials, i cant see brecel dominating this game

Kacper Filipiak is about the same age as Luca Brecel and is a better prospect already, judging by his performances. Polish-Belgian finals could well be the future of snooker.

There is some serious young talent emerging Josiah, the game of snooker is in good hands.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Kacper Filipiak is about the same age as Luca Brecel and is a better prospect already, judging by his performances. Polish-Belgian finals could well be the future of snooker.

i wouldnt go that far. because if any other region will get to dominate past the brit isles i would back the chinese. but all the same its great to see the game could really be going global this time around.

eirebilly wrote:There is some serious young talent emerging Josiah, the game of snooker is in good hands.

But it isn't so good if Ronnie keeps dominating the World Championship for the next 5 years.

But it isn't so good if Ronnie keeps dominating the World Championship for the next 5 years.

He dominated in 2008 but hasnt since then, you must be in cloud cuckoo land if you think Ronnie can "dominate" for next 5 years.

I think 606 snooker boards would be dead if that happend

gboycottnut wrote:

eirebilly wrote:There is some serious young talent emerging Josiah, the game of snooker is in good hands.

But it isn't so good if Ronnie keeps dominating the World Championship for the next 5 years.

Do you seriously see that happening because i sure as hell dont. Fantastic player but age catches up with everyone.

Age isnt the concern when it comes to ronnie. its ronnie himself. if he gets motivated id say its a possibilty. slim but there

And anyway gboycottnut, even with all the talent Ronnie has, he has never been able to dominate because there is far too many players around today of a very high standard. The last player that looked like he may dominate was Mark Williams circa 2001-2003 when he was untouchable and held all the major titels.

I cant see any player dominating the game anytime soon.

eirebilly wrote:And anyway gboycottnut, even with all the talent Ronnie has, he has never been able to dominate because there is far too many players around today of a very high standard. The last player that looked like he may dominate was Mark Williams circa 2001-2003 when he was untouchable and held all the major titels.

I cant see any player dominating the game anytime soon.

Age won't affect Ronnie as much as it has the other great champions such as Ray Reardon, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry. And although the standard of snooker generally is much higher than what it was 5-10 years ago, there still aren't the players around at present who genuinely look capable of beating the likes of Ronnie and John Higgins in a long best of 35 frame match.

There are plenty of players capable of beating both Higgins and Ronnie over longer matches. I am not sure what you base this on?

I honestly have not got a clue as to why you think that Ronnie, who has never dominated, will dominate and why age wont affect him or Higgins like previous players. Age affects us all...

I enjoyed the snooker last night. Both the first two frames could ahve gone either way with Matt just really choosing the wrong options. Ronnie's escapes from the safety shots were sublime though.

Glad Matt made his come back in the 2nd session, it so could have ended up 4-4! I think 5-3 is not too bad though considering how far behind he was, 2 frames is something I think he can overcome.


And also sorry for this but just going to do a bit of mod speak for a moment:

I've just had a read back through the comments about the play for last night's session. Please be reminded to respect your fellow posters at all times. Just because someone has a differing opinion does not mean you can post aggressively. Put your opinion by all means but please do not attack your fellow posters for having a differing opinion. Thanks.

eirebilly wrote:There are plenty of players capable of beating both Higgins and Ronnie over longer matches. I am not sure what you base this on?

I honestly have not got a clue as to why you think that Ronnie, who has never dominated, will dominate and why age wont affect him or Higgins like previous players. Age affects us all...

Age will affect John Higgins as he isn't a naturally skilled player like a Jimmy White or a Alex Higgins. John Higgins like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry needs to put the hard graft and work in during practice sessions in order to produce his very best form in a match arena. In contrast, Ronnie being is a true naturally skilled player doesn't need to take a lot out of himself with the practising and hence he can save his energies and efforts for the match arena.

About to get going again. I am hoping that Mags fights back and makes it 8-8 this session.

Anyway, the snooker has an early start today doesn't it, 10am yes?

I can see Maguire coming back and taking the lead in this session.

gboycottnut wrote:

eirebilly wrote:There are plenty of players capable of beating both Higgins and Ronnie over longer matches. I am not sure what you base this on?

I honestly have not got a clue as to why you think that Ronnie, who has never dominated, will dominate and why age wont affect him or Higgins like previous players. Age affects us all...

Age will affect John Higgins as he isn't a naturally skilled player like a Jimmy White or a Alex Higgins. John Higgins like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry needs to put the hard graft and work in during practice sessions in order to produce his very best form in a match arena. In contrast, Ronnie being is a true naturally skilled player doesn't need to take a lot out of himself with the practising and hence he can save his energies and efforts for the match arena.

All players need to put in the practice. It became very clear when Ronnie had'nt been putting in the practice (he said so as well) when he fell down in the rankings.

Every single person on this earth feels the effects of age.

Can you please answer my question as to why you think that Ronnie of today will dominate (when by your own admission that the standard of players is better today than 5-10 years ago) when he never has previously been able to?

Its on now dreamer, can you watch it or are you like me watching live scores?

Can you also please explain to me why you think that a 4 time World Champion and possesor of arguably the greatest all round game ever in John Higgins is not naturally gifted?

eirebilly wrote:Can you also please explain to me why you think that a 4 time World Champion and possesor of arguably the greatest all round game ever in John Higgins is not naturally gifted?

John Higgins is a talented player of that there is no doubt. However like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, he does need to put in a lot of practice in order to help him produce his best in the match arena. Ronnie in contrast doesn't need to expend as much effort and energy into practicing in order to produce the goods in the match arena.

eirebilly wrote:

gboycottnut wrote:

eirebilly wrote:There are plenty of players capable of beating both Higgins and Ronnie over longer matches. I am not sure what you base this on?

I honestly have not got a clue as to why you think that Ronnie, who has never dominated, will dominate and why age wont affect him or Higgins like previous players. Age affects us all...

Age will affect John Higgins as he isn't a naturally skilled player like a Jimmy White or a Alex Higgins. John Higgins like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry needs to put the hard graft and work in during practice sessions in order to produce his very best form in a match arena. In contrast, Ronnie being is a true naturally skilled player doesn't need to take a lot out of himself with the practising and hence he can save his energies and efforts for the match arena.

All players need to put in the practice. It became very clear when Ronnie had'nt been putting in the practice (he said so as well) when he fell down in the rankings.

Every single person on this earth feels the effects of age.

Can you please answer my question as to why you think that Ronnie of today will dominate (when by your own admission that the standard of players is better today than 5-10 years ago) when he never has previously been able to?

Well Ronnie has got any of the mental problems he had been suffering from out of his system now. Therefore he should be able to maintain his focus and concentration over the course of a snooker season unlike was the case before.

gboycottnut wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Can you also please explain to me why you think that a 4 time World Champion and possesor of arguably the greatest all round game ever in John Higgins is not naturally gifted?

John Higgins is a talented player of that there is no doubt. However like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, he does need to put in a lot of practice in order to help him produce his best in the match arena. Ronnie in contrast doesn't need to expend as much effort and energy into practicing in order to produce the goods in the match arena.

But as i said before, Ronnie himself has admitted in needing to spen massive amounts of time practicing, if he doesnt then his game falls away as it had done recently so i am still unsure as to the point you are trying to make? All players need to devote massive amounts of time into practice or their form falls off.

gboycottnut wrote:

Well Ronnie has got any of the mental problems he had been suffering from out of his system now. Therefore he should be able to maintain his focus and concentration over the course of a snooker season unlike was the case before.

I guess you are refeering to his bi polar sickness? I am not a doctor but i am pretty sure that you dont just get that out of your system.

eirebilly wrote:

gboycottnut wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Can you also please explain to me why you think that a 4 time World Champion and possesor of arguably the greatest all round game ever in John Higgins is not naturally gifted?

John Higgins is a talented player of that there is no doubt. However like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, he does need to put in a lot of practice in order to help him produce his best in the match arena. Ronnie in contrast doesn't need to expend as much effort and energy into practicing in order to produce the goods in the match arena.

But as i said before, Ronnie himself has admitted in needing to spen massive amounts of time practicing, if he doesnt then his game falls away as it had done recently so i am still unsure as to the point you are trying to make? All players need to devote massive amounts of time into practice or their form falls off.

Yes Ronnie needs to practice in order to maintain his form. The point I'm trying to make is that any lack of practice doesn't affect Ronnie as badly as it would someone like John Higgins or Stephen Hendry.

eirebilly wrote:

gboycottnut wrote:

Well Ronnie has got any of the mental problems he had been suffering from out of his system now. Therefore he should be able to maintain his focus and concentration over the course of a snooker season unlike was the case before.

I guess you are refeering to his bi polar sickness? I am not a doctor but i am pretty sure that you dont just get that out of your system.

I'm not sure what he was suffering from, but it seems that he has been visiting a sports psychologist a lot and this has done wonders for Ronnie's confidence and hence his current form during this year's World Championship.

eirebilly wrote:Its on now dreamer, can you watch it or are you like me watching live scores?

I have neither

Am relying on all of yous lot to keep me updated with the score!

Ok, that may be so but to be a top player practice is essential for all, so if either of the top players cease to practice then they will fall down the rankings so the point of who needs to practice less really has no bearing in my eyes.

eirebilly wrote:Ok, that may be so but to be a top player practice is essential for all, so if either of the top players cease to practice then they will fall down the rankings so the point of who needs to practice less really has no bearing in my eyes.

I do agree with you that all players need practice. However for some players like the Ronnie's, Jimmy White's etc, the lack of practice affects them less so than it does for the rest of the snooker players such as John Higgins, Stephen Hendry.

I think that we are going in circles gboycottnut. I see that all players need practice so there is no point in saying who needs less and you feel that who needs less practice is the better player.

Lets agree to disagree

PM for dreamer, see if that works

it does aye, ta Billy