2014 World Snooker Championship Thread

[The Special Juan]

*Insert preview here*

[Dave.]

Crafty Ken v Angles in the second round!

[CaledonianCraig]

Can we crown Ronnie now please? Ding out, Higgins out and a host of other seeds. Shows how far snooker has dipped that Bingham makes world No.5 and Hawkins world No.4.   

[The Special Juan]

Crafty Ken v Angles in the second round!

Shame, that would have been my dream final.

[The Special Juan]

2014-04-22

Can we crown Ronnie now please? Ding out, Higgins out and a host of other seeds. Shows how far snooker has dipped that Bingham makes world No.5 and Hawkins world No.4.   

The rankings award consistency these days. Whether that's a good or bad thing is down to opinion.

[Hibbz]

Something very fishy about some of Ding's losses if you ask me. Plenty of players left to challenge Ronald. Haven't watched a huge amount of action this year but despite not being massively interested leading up to it I'm beginning to warm to this years crucible action.

[EdWoodjr]

For anyone wanting to be spared any more of Walden/Wilson, a hot dog eating contest has just started on the Extreme Sports channel.

[CaledonianCraig]

2014-04-22

Can we crown Ronnie now please? Ding out, Higgins out and a host of other seeds. Shows how far snooker has dipped that Bingham makes world No.5 and Hawkins world No.4.   

The rankings award consistency these days.  Whether that's a good or bad thing is down to opinion.

Point is if these are the most consistent of players around it only highlights the dearth of talent around now who are playing at a consistent level.

[CaledonianCraig]

2014-04-22

Can we crown Ronnie now please? Ding out, Higgins out and a host of other seeds. Shows how far snooker has dipped that Bingham makes world No.5 and Hawkins world No.4.   

The rankings award consistency these days.  Whether that's a good or bad thing is down to opinion.

Point is if these are the most consistent of players around it only highlights the dearth of talent around now who are playing at a consistent level.

[VTR]

There isn't a dearth of talent, the overall standard is far better than it has ever been - anyone in the top 100 is a genuinely good player, you couldn't say that a few years ago. Hawkins got to the final playing outstanding snooker last year, why doesn't he deserve to be high up the rankings?

[sirfredperry]

Just watching Trump and Ford and it's just about the worst match I've ever seen at The Crucible. Standard seems very poor this year.

[The Special Juan]

Neither have had great seasons. Ford's been pretty much anonymous in all the tournaments he's played and Judd's been extremely disappointing this year.

[sirfredperry]

Judd's just taken it 10-8 but very unconvincingly. Can't remember a Crucible match where BOTH players performed so badly. Only good thing is that a number of players I don't like watching are already out or didn't qualify !

[The Special Juan]

Judd's just taken it 10-8 but very unconvincingly. Can't remember a Crucible match where BOTH players performed so badly. Only good thing is that a number of players I don't like watching are already out or didn't qualify !

Walden v Hawkins last year. It was dire at times.

[VTR]

Judd's just taken it 10-8 but very unconvincingly. Can't remember a Crucible match where BOTH players performed so badly. Only good thing is that a number of players I don't like watching are already out or didn't qualify !

Angles vs Doherty has potential to be worse!

[CaledonianCraig]

There isn't a dearth of talent, the overall standard is far better than it has ever been - anyone in the top 100 is a genuinely good player, you couldn't say that a few years ago. Hawkins got to the final playing outstanding snooker last year, why doesn't he deserve to be high up the rankings?

Sorry I totally disagree and I'd say the viewing figures disagree with you as well as the interest shown on this topic. When I were a lad (Yorkshire accent) the world snooker championship would have brought thriving conversation nowadays it is a mere whisper.

[VTR]

There isn't a dearth of talent, the overall standard is far better than it has ever been - anyone in the top 100 is a genuinely good player, you couldn't say that a few years ago. Hawkins got to the final playing outstanding snooker last year, why doesn't he deserve to be high up the rankings?

Sorry I totally disagree and I'd say the viewing figures disagree with you as well as the interest shown on this topic. When I were a lad (Yorkshire accent) the world snooker championship would have brought thriving conversation nowadays it is a mere whisper.

Well the sport might not be as popular in this country but it is growing in places such as China, India and Germany. I think there are less outstanding players now than before but the depth is greater. Early 2000's J Higgins/Williams/Hendry/O'Sullivan was probably the best era in terms of quality at the top.

[CaledonianCraig]

There isn't a dearth of talent, the overall standard is far better than it has ever been - anyone in the top 100 is a genuinely good player, you couldn't say that a few years ago. Hawkins got to the final playing outstanding snooker last year, why doesn't he deserve to be high up the rankings?

Sorry I totally disagree and I'd say the viewing figures disagree with you as well as the interest shown on this topic. When I were a lad (Yorkshire accent) the world snooker championship would have brought thriving conversation nowadays it is a mere whisper.

Well the sport might not be as popular in this country but it is growing in places such as China, India and Germany. I think there are less outstanding players now than before but the depth is greater. Early 2000's J Higgins/Williams/Hendry/O'Sullivan was probably the best era in terms of quality at the top.

The thing is there is no established rivalries out there and that is what draws crowds ad interest. In the 80s you had Davis V White or Davis V Higgins or White V Higgins, in the 90s you had Davis v Hendry, Hendry V White, Hendry V O'Sullivan, Hendry V J Higgins etc etc etc (too many to mention basically) and that began to taper off in 00's with Higgins V O'Sullivan with Williams, Ebdon and on the slide Hendry in mix. Now what is there? Very precious little.

[VTR]

Yeah I agree with that. It looked like it could be Trump vs O'Sullivan but sadly Judd is more interested in Ferraris and shoes than fulfilling his talent. I think McManus was pretty much referring to him with these comments:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/27116258

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump lacks any real consistency to move into a category of being a challenger for majors.

[The Special Juan]

Can you have major rivalries these days? With so many tournaments it's near impossible for the same players to keep meeting at the latter stages.

[CaledonianCraig]

Can you have major rivalries these days?  With so many tournaments it's near impossible for the same players to keep meeting at the latter stages.

You can as long as you have consistent enough players who invariably are good enough to always reach the business end of top tournaments and then on getting there displaying enough mental aptitude to beat the likes of Ronnie - do that enough and a rivalry will grow.

[sirfredperry]

Pleased, finally, to see some class in the shape of Robertson. After watching the awful Trump match it was like viewing a different sport.

[Taylorman]

Ronnie's headspace is certainly a lot more at peace now it seems. His ROS show on You tube confirms he's in a better place now, has a new respect for the game and is giving of himself more- the interviews, tips etc.

That's reflected by much better consistency on the table lately and with Ding and Higgins and a couple of others gone his half of the draw looks much easier now.

A ROS Robbo final perhaps?

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie's headspace is certainly a lot more at peace now it seems. His ROS show on You tube confirms he's in a better place now, has a new respect for the game and is giving of himself more- the interviews, tips etc.

That's reflected by much better consistency on the table lately and with Ding and Higgins and a couple of others gone his half of the draw looks much easier now.

I would certainly agree with that. He feels much more ease and the fact that largely the pressure has gone helps - no pressure to become multiple world champion and now no pressure from his opponents as such as he knews there is now nobody around to challenge him.

[The Special Juan]

It was nice of them to give Ronnie a walkover into the QFs...

On the agenda today we have Dominic "Christopher" Dale ready to march into the 2nd round. He needs 3 more frames against The Battler from Hastings and hopefully he can wrap it up quickly. Likewise, Robbo also needs 3 more frames but even more important is that he's now only 5 centuries away from a ton of tons. What a story that would be.

And in the second round, there's going to be a proper battle when Selby meets Carter. Selby's not played his A game in so long I've forgotten what it is so I think Carter will win this one something like 13-10. I'd love to see Ali go and win this.

[The Special Juan]

Neil's just sent a warning out to everyone else with a 10-2 demolition job. 96% pot success, 72% long pot success and 4 tons including back-to-back tons to win the match. Unbelievable.

[CaledonianCraig]

It was nice of them to give Ronnie a walkover into the QFs...

Hmm maybe walkover a bit strong? Perry leads 3-1 at the mid-session interval. Still I would be gobsmacked if Ronnie doesn't bounce back to win.

[The Special Juan]

There's a reason I've nicknamed him "Average Joe"...

No, Joe's a good player and has had arguably his best season but I can't see him sustaining this level for 3 sessions. He needs 6-2 to have a chance I think. 5-3 isn't enough.

[CaledonianCraig]

Again distasteful stuff from Ronnie's fans. Cheering when Perry goes in off. Bad show.

[The Special Juan]

Ah Joe, you've blown it.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ah Joe, you've blown it.

Yes you always got the feeling he was going to go off the boil at any time.

[Dave.]

Dearie me. You know what came into my head? The time Gentleman Joe beat Come On Jimmy on a respotted black in the decider at the Crucible. He was even on Blue Peter!

[Dave.]

It was actually against Steve Davis. .

[CaledonianCraig]

Joe Perry leads Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 at the end of their first session. Joe playing well whilst Ronnie's long game is nowhere. I still make Ronnie a hot favourite to win though.

[The Special Juan]

Joe Perry leads Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 at the end of their first session. Joe playing well whilst Ronnie's long game is nowhere. I still make Ronnie a hot favourite to win though.

Ronnie's long game is going as I keep saying. He may well win it this year but I don't see him winning it next year. I'm not criticising him; it's just an age thing and it happens to the best and greatest in any sport. Hendry himself will say his long game was the first thing to go.

[The Special Juan]

Dearie me. You know what came into my head?  The time Gentleman Joe beat Davis on a respotted black in the decider at the Crucible. He was even on Blue Peter!

That must have been a few years ago!!

[VTR]

Joe Perry leads Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 at the end of their first session. Joe playing well whilst Ronnie's long game is nowhere. I still make Ronnie a hot favourite to win though.

Ronnie's long game is going as I keep saying.  He may well win it this year but I don't see him winning it next year.  I'm not criticising him; it's just an age thing and it happens to the best and greatest in any sport.  Hendry himself will say his long game was the first thing to go.

I'd argue he won it the last couple of years without much of a long game to speak of. He gets away with it because of his cueball control once he is in. If that dips or he gets bored and careless with his safety then he is vulnerable. Fancy him to get through this one fairly easily, Perry needed to cash in with a 6-2 there.

[The Special Juan]

Joe Perry leads Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 at the end of their first session. Joe playing well whilst Ronnie's long game is nowhere. I still make Ronnie a hot favourite to win though.

Ronnie's long game is going as I keep saying.  He may well win it this year but I don't see him winning it next year.  I'm not criticising him; it's just an age thing and it happens to the best and greatest in any sport.  Hendry himself will say his long game was the first thing to go.

I'd argue he won it the last couple of years without much of a long game to speak of. He gets away with it because of his cueball control once he is in. If that dips or he gets bored and careless with his safety then he is vulnerable. Fancy him to get through this one fairly easily, Perry needed to cash in with a 6-2 there.

And you'd argue that point successfully I think. His cueball control is excellent but if he comes up against someone who's safety is good enough to match his then he'll need that potting to carve out chances. Admittedly though, not many can match him there.

[Taylorman]

Joe Perry leads Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 at the end of their first session. Joe playing well whilst Ronnie's long game is nowhere. I still make Ronnie a hot favourite to win though.

Ronnie's long game is going as I keep saying.  He may well win it this year but I don't see him winning it next year.  I'm not criticising him; it's just an age thing and it happens to the best and greatest in any sport.  Hendry himself will say his long game was the first thing to go.

I'd argue he won it the last couple of years without much of a long game to speak of. He gets away with it because of his cueball control once he is in. If that dips or he gets bored and careless with his safety then he is vulnerable. Fancy him to get through this one fairly easily, Perry needed to cash in with a 6-2 there.

And you'd argue that point successfully I think.  His cueball control is excellent but if he comes up against someone who's safety is good enough to match his then he'll need that potting to carve out chances.  Admittedly though, not many can match him there.

perhaps not over the long haul with these matches anyway.

[The Special Juan]

Doherty v McManus... Get on it!!

[CaledonianCraig]

Credit to Perry here. Still playing very solid stuff here and has stretched his lead over Ronnie to 7-4.

[VTR]

Credit to Perry here. Still playing very solid stuff here and has stretched his lead over Ronnie to 7-4.

Very interesting match this now. Ronnie has to win at least 9-5 from here, that's quite a tall order!

[VTR]

Doherty v McManus...  Get on it!!

Haha, I predict a long match and them to be dragged off today with about 6 frames played

[Dave.]

Angles 2-1 up. This is real snooker.

[CaledonianCraig]

Credit to Perry here. Still playing very solid stuff here and has stretched his lead over Ronnie to 7-4.

Very interesting match this now. Ronnie has to win at least 9-5 from here, that's quite a tall order!

My money would still be on Ronnie as you always feel that Perry will panic if he gets to a winning position ie leading 11-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

Angles looking good and scoring heavily leads Doherty 3-1 at the mid-session interval as Perry resumes 7-5 up against O'Sullivan.

[CaledonianCraig]

Tide turning? Perry has a frame snatched from his grasp and his lead is cut to 7-6. Could we please ban the neanderthals from The Crucible please?

[CaledonianCraig]

Perry really keeping his head under pressure and takes the next frame to eek out that two frame lead again to lead 8-6. That means that whatever happens now he cannot be behind going into the last session of this match tomorrow.

[CaledonianCraig]

Perry keeping the Rocket very quiet and with another sizeable break extends his lead to 9-6.

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