World Championship 2011 General Chat

cherryghost

Mod sorry if you don't want this here, but since there's no real discussion on the championship itself (there's nitbits here and there), it would be easier to keep a discussion here!

Anywho!

Watched the Ronnie match in its entirety, have to say he certainly looks on form. Some of his long pots are a bit iffy but generally he looks like he has the confidence.

I stuck money down on the current King-Dott match on King to clinch it. He's a great player once he gets into a rhythm. Looking forward to the other days matches!

cherryghost

Well crap, King just missed an essential shot there, potential frame loser

iMuse

Watched the ronnie match aswell. He looked good but it depends if he can stay positive, murphy in the next round will be a tough test but I cant see him getting past higgins in the quarters unless hes on top form.

cherryghost

We'll see how it goes in the next round. His performance there will determine whether he can beat the seemingly unbeatable Higgins

Allen - Stevens match started this evening, fairly good standard to start off, hope it continues through, Allen to win of course

Setun

Ronnie always has the skill to get through, but he often doesn't have the head. His recent psychological-coaching is definitely helping, but I could still see signs that he's not completely comfortable out there. Would love to see him do well all the same, needless to say he's great to watch.

I haven't seen much of the snooker so far though - can anybody echo the commentators thouhts that the standard is much higher this year?

zack01

That's as comfortable as I've since Ronnie at a snooker table in a long time, he gave every shot plenty of concentration, his safety was spot on and as I said in a previous thread he grinded out a couple of good frames from positions he would not normally have bothered with.
Personally I think it's great to see him still involved, he spoke well at his press conference after and really just wants to let his snooker do the talking.
Murphy in the next round will be a stronger test but I feel he has a better chance against the top players,he'll raise his game the longer he's in the tournament, he doesn't play again until Saturday and normally he would go home to Essex but I think he may stay around this time. He's in Sheffield since thursday so maybe he wants to feel more involved this time round.
Of course tomorrow he could come out and say he's fed up and wants to pack it in! But fingers crossed he stays focused and plays well again in his next match.
I know it's the blue ribband event of the snooker season but watching Ronnie O'Sullivan on and off the table is always a great side story.

Regarding the standard this year, I said it would be the best yet,and I still believe it will be, I think the century count is around 13 at the moment and thats after four days, once you get past the first round and into the best of 25 frame matches quality really begins to show.
Bar a couple of matches eg Ebdon v Bingham I think it's been very enjoyable so far.

FlawedGenius

Great interview after, Ronnie basically said how he wants to play for a few more years at least and get back his form like Williams has! Mad man!! Last week he wanted to pull out/retire.:rolleyes:

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Felt sorry for Ebdon last night. He had a god chance to go 9-9 and got a nasty kick on an easy black. Bingham got a nice break, leaving Ebdon needing four snookers. He still carried on for a while trying to get them.

He looked absolutely sick!

giant_midget

Have to admit im not an Ebdon fan, But the poor fella got a nasty kick on the black that probably was the cause of his 1st round exit..not a good end to his season...

On a lighter note really looking forward to Murphy V Ronnie ! This could go close..

cherryghost

My main man Allen down 5-4 on Stevens. Both don't look very strong tbh. Easy mistakes in a few frames

cherryghost

Cannot believe Fu is down on Gould atm. Gould is not the best breakbuilder and its showing. He's just outthinking Fu. It's a pity really. Fu when he's on form is amazing to watch

zack01

Probably due to the fact Fu was up all night, the fire alarm in his hotel activated and all guests had to leave fir a while in the early hours.
Still not out of it yet, next frame is obviously a huge one.

cherryghost

Gould through. Big surprise there! Amazing red pot in the last frame. Shot of the tourney surely!

_feedback_

The tweet machine had a lot of activity about McLeods slow play earlier. Now himself and Walden have accused each other of slow play. http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2343014,00.html

Didn't see it, but one tweeter said they were surprised the table didn't die of boredom!

califano

Joe Johnson is a nice guy by cripes he must be the worst commentator ive ever heard,and ive listened to Taylor!.
The man manages to get most calls wrong and im sure he has to be half blind.

"No JOE it doesnt go arrrrrggghhhhh how can you say that goes!!!!"


"Its not a good shot Joe, actually he's snookered himself!"

califano

Also AlanMc Manus is a jinx of a commentator. The game doesnt seem to flow easy with McManus commentating. Its like he's helping to drag the play down unbeknownst to himself.

zack01

I think McManus is very good, his first time commentating and he's doing really well, worked well with Phil Yates the other night too.
It's good to hear a player who still plays on the circuit albeit not to the standard he used to talk us through the shots and throw in the odd fact or two about the players.

I agree with you on the Joe Johnson post, he's terrible!!

zack01

Looks like the nerves are taking their toll on Jimmy Robertson, he's had plenty of chances tonight, 5-1 down now and really needs to win at least two frames out of the last three to stay in the match.
Mind you i watched him come back from 6-3 down against Ken Doherty in the final qualifying round last month by winning seven frames on the spin for a 10-6 win. Selby a different player though!

Matthew Stevens 9-6 up has Mark Allen dead and buried and goes for a crazy plant, misses and lets Allen in for a ton, 9-7 now and there could be a bit more to go in this match.
Hope Stevens wins though, i know Allen has his problems with depression but he's not the nicest of people.

KrazeeEyezKilla

zack01 wrote: »

I think McManus is very good, his first time commentating and he's doing really well, worked well with Phil Yates the other night too.
It's good to hear a player who still plays on the circuit albeit not to the standard he used to talk us through the shots and throw in the odd fact or two about the players.

He's not too bad so far. He gets on with talking about the match unlike a lot of the BBC commentators who can slip into their habit of reminiscing about the glory days.

_feedback_

Why is he not the nicest of people? He has managed to get it to a decider now! Not the cleanest snooker ever, but has been great to watch. Would be some comeback if he can pull it off!

SD7792

Stunning from Allen. Absolutely stunning.

celticfc

Delighted for Mark, after that he could be a dangerous animal this year.

You just can't beat the long matches at the crucible for sheer drama.

zack01

Into day six and the standard although brilliant in patches has really yet to hit the it's peak, with the second round matches starting today I expect the snooker to really improve.
One thing we've had plenty of and that's drama, it's funny but last frame deciders at any other venue although exciting just don't have a patch on last frame drama at the crucible.
Wonderful display by Allen last night, the scenes at the end where he kissed his daughter bring you back all those years ago to Alex Higgins when he kissed his daughter, coincedently named Lauren also, Omen??
Stevens must be gutted though, strange playing the yellow left handed at 9-8 up, but he's back in the top 16 so it's some small consolation.

I only saw 'that' red everyone was on about this morning and I have to admit with Cherryghost it was incredible, yes the frame was over but to pot that red at that speed from that angle was something else.

Delighted for Gould, he's played in every event this season including the 12 PTC events, and all that match snooker is beginning to pay dividends, the same can be said of Trump so I'm expecting a good match there.

The original favourite John Higgins started of well yesterday, at 6-3 ahead you would fancy him to finish the job but Lee will still have a lot to say in that match.

Poor Jimmy Robertson really crumbled with first time crucible nerves last night, Mark Selby didn't exactly do anything impressive but just picked off each frame with out having to work too hard. Robertson is a much better player than that though, he won four matches to get there including wins over Drago and Doherty, but it's not the first time a debutant has folded there and it won't be the last

I'm heading over tomorrow evening for the last ten days, really looking forward to this years trip more than any other one.
Can't wait!!!

Speak Now

Delighted for Gould and Allen winning so far

celticfc

Higgins is looking good, really good.

cherryghost

I can see Gould dragging out the match. Don't mind really, would love to see him into the quarter finals

celticfc

cherryghost wrote: »

I can see Gould dragging out the match. Don't mind really, would love to see him into the quarter finals

He's a bit of a strange player alright, but his style of play can be very exciting to watch. The first session tonight definitely showed that.

zack01

That's turning out to be a really good match, great snooker played by both players.
Two players on form, one a winner of the last ranking event the other a runner up in the previous one.
Gould is one of these players when you look at him you can't really tell if he's winning or losing, I like his manner as well as Trumps, I wouldn't mind who wins this game as long as the standard keeps up.

Agree with you Celtic, Higgins looks very very good, he's normally a slow starter but there was nothing slow about the way he beat Lee today.

Williams too looks good, with Murphy, O'Sullivan, Selby and co lurking about, this is the most open championship in years.

celticfc

zack01 wrote: »

Williams too looks good, with Murphy, O'Sullivan, Selby and co lurking about, this is the most open championship in years.

Sure is in the top half of the draw, but that bottom quarter is looking seriously tasty. Surely it will be Higgins playing Murphy or O'Sullivan in the quarter final (no disrespect to Rory McLeod).

Hulk Hands

Hopefully my beloved Hendry can find a bit of form, still as good in amongst the balls as anyone, but the unintentional side he's putting on the ball when stunning, his case of yips, and general old age is holding him back. I still think he has some magic left though and the 66/1 available is insulting.

I meant to back Dott at 22/1 before this mornings session but forgot. Is on the easy side of the draw, and whilst I don't like him, he always saves his best for the Crucable and the long matches really suit him.

Other than those, i'd like to see Williams come back to win it again or maybe Ding, which would do wonders for the snooker boom in China.

I'll generally be happy if anyone bar O'Sullivan of Higgins wins, for differing reasons that shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

Anyway, for the 4th year running the World Snooker falls in the two weeks proceeding my college exams, offering an unbelievably tempting alternative to study. As I said to my mate yesterday as we wasted half the day watching a Williams demolition of Cope...."every fcuking year!!"

jam08

I wouldn't write off Trump if he manages to get over the line against Hawkins. Could be a dark horse to win it if he gets a bit of luck. And if him and Ding/Selby get to the semis it could be a cracker of a match!

Speak Now

jam08 wrote: »

I wouldn't write off Trump if he manages to get over the line against Hawkins. Could be a dark horse to win it if he gets a bit of luck. And if him and Ding/Selby get to the semis it could be a cracker of a match!

Trump is beating Gould, Hawkins is leading Allen.

jam08

Ah thanks there only realize my mistake now! Fancy trump to win his game, wouldn't be so sure about Allen against hawkins

SarahBM

Trump is a breath of fresh air. just saw him being interviewed by Steve Davis, and he is just a young lad enjoying his snooker. love it. and he tweets

iMuse

Ronnie 6-2 up over Murphy, neither player at their best though.

Arthur Daley

Mark Allen nearly ends with a maximum. Hawkins did well to run him close.

I wonder if Stephen Hendry could have only one more session of snooker at the crucible tommorow, if rumours of his retirement come to pass this summer.

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Blink and you'll miss him, Rory McLeod is 1-0 up on John Higgins this morning. Slow moving play. Just getting through the second frame after an hours play. Wonder will the long frames affect higgins performance?

I follow prosnookerblog on twitter. Yesterday he said he saw McLeod drive by in a car with his name along the side. He said he couldn't get a photo as he was going too fast. He followed up with another one saying "I never thought I'd get the chance to say Rory McLeod was going too fast!".

Omega28

I had to turn off the Mcleod/Higgins encounter, unwatchable for me.

I have to say, I'm a huge Hendry fan, since the age of around 6! but I think it may be time to pack it in, for his own sake, if he drops out of the top 16 it would be such a shame, and his performances just seem to be going from bad to worse! But Hendry being the character he is, still feels he can win tournaments, which you can't fault him for! But he isn't a fifth of the player he was.

Regarding Ronnie, well as ever I'm hoping he wins, I really believe he can win this, even though his performance yesterday was poor by his own standards!

C'mon Ronnie!!!!:D

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It is pretty hard to watch alright! Terry Griffiths says he doesn't remember seeing a professional playing five frames so negatively.

Higgins has gone in front for the first time. 3-2.

Omega28

wouldn't be the biggest john higgins fan but I really hope Mcleod doesn't get through here.

Roll on 2.30pm for the Ronnie match

oneillMan999

LOL for the first time, i didnt get up to watch the snooker, no harm to McCloud but watchin him is like pullin teeth! ye have to wonder tho, what would Thorburn v Griffiths have been like back in the day? people loved it tho, goes to show how the game has moved on and what people like to see.

I love a good safety battle but theres a fine line between playin solid matchplay snooker and just plain negative snooker!

seafood dunleavy

Think Selby is a real contender to win this year.

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seafood dunleavy wrote: »

Think Selby is a real contender to win this year.

It looked like it was going to finish 11-5 with Hendry today. Selby needed four snookers. When he came back to the table, Denis Taylor was going "WHAT IS HE DOING? WHY IS HE COMING BACK?"

Play continued for what must have been twenty minutes or more, and yes he got the snookers and it finished 12-4.

It was excellent from Selby. As good as any of the centuries he got earlier in the session.

zack01

It just goes to show he's an all round good old fashioned match snooker player, I've been trying to figure out what they said to each other after they shook hands but no one is the wiser.
He has the record now of centuries in a single match,and he is a real contender over the next eight days.

zack01

It just goes to show he's an all round good old fashioned match snooker player, I've been trying to figure out what they said to each other after they shook hands but no one is the wiser.
He has the record now of centuries in a single match,and he is a real contender over the next eight days.

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Zack I think Hendry might have mentioned to Mark how the white ran off the cushion a little bit on him earlier in the frame. Think that because Mark pointed at the other cushion, where the white had clung on to a couple of minutes later.

zack01

Your spot on elvis, someone mentioned the exact same thing to me earlier.

Arthur Daley

Watched a good bit of the McLeod vs higgins match this evening. It was like watching something like Thorburn v Eddie Charlton circa 1983 at times. Doesn't bother me too much to watch that every so often.

You know it's bad when Terry Griffiths says: 'you know, sometimes you've just gotta get a move on!':pac:

_feedback_

John Higgins went through in the end. I found the match tough to watch, but suppose that is just the way he plays.

Is JV unwell? Just saw him on the BBC, and he doesn't look 100%.

syngindub

O'Sullivan looking to be back to his best. just catching the end of this O'Sullivan Murphy match. entertaining stuff and wish i could split screen and watch the ding match also..

Arthur Daley

elviscostello wrote: »

Is JV unwell? Just saw him on the BBC, and he doesn't look 100%.

He's done something to his neck, but he's still taking shots. Maybe he pulled a muscle or has a trapped nerve or something.