Hi from the Crucible!!

zack01

Got here last night parked the car and landed up having a good few pints with Mr Verhass!!
Hence the reason I didn't see any snooker last night or the finish to the Trump v Gould match.
Finally took my seat in the press room with a few of the hacks to watch O'Sulllivan v Murphy, big expectations but it didn't live up to the hype, with two more sessions to play I expect that to change.
Watched a bit of the Dott v Carter game, you really have to hand it to Dott, he is one determained player.

Trump, Dott and Williams through to the last eight and still no one can pick a winner, this is shaping up to be a great ten days of snooker.

Are any of the regular members of the boards.ie snooker thread coming over this week??

Setun

Timing wasn't good for me to make the trip this year, although I would strongly consider making the journey next year if it's at all possible. I've seen a few good matches already - Mark Allen's win over Matthew Stevens really was something else. Felt awful for Stevens, hope to see him having a great season next year, and wish the best for Mark Allen over the rest of the tournament. As for Ronnie, well I'm sure he'll get going soon enough. I think that both players will probably feed off each other to an extent, raising their game considerably when the pressure is on. It will definitely be an interesting study in sportd psychology at least.

Arthur Daley

Anybody in the last 8, or likely to make the last 8 could win it. Usually there are one or two guys there that you can't see making it all the way, but not this year.

Table 2 side of the draw being particularly strong.

zack01

Hendry looking really uneasy today, Selby could win the match in this session and if he does there could be a very interesting press interview after.
My hunch is retirement might be the main question.

zack01

Well that's it, Hendry loses 13-4 to Selby and more importantly the way he was beaten suggests he may just have had plenty if time in that defeat to ponder his future.
It's been a miserable season, probably the highlight been the maximum break he made in the Welsh Open.
He will now find himself outside the top 16 for the first time in over 20 years and the thoughts of qualifying for events rather that be seeded through will I'm sure force his hand.
Also invites to The Masters and Premier League will no longer be there for him, Hendry had nothing to prove, personally I dont see him having a resurgence in his career like Mark Williams for example, he's probably the greatest player the sport has ever had and he certainly doesn't owe the game anything.

I guess we'll just have to watch this space.

oneillMan999

dosent he keep his place if bingham loses to ding? If he does lose it, i dont think he will carry on which is a shame cause i think he has a lot left to give, if only he could tweek his game a bit and play some good safety, but thats prob never gonna happen.

Hope he dosent retire, but your right Zack, he certainly dosent owe the game anything.

zack01

Your right oneillman, there is that possibility, but with the three ranking updates during the season by the time November comes he could be down to the mid 20's.
His form this season doesn't suggest that he can mount a challenge if that was to happen.
Anyway he has revealed in his after match press interview that he will go away and think things over during the next few weeks.
He is however staying around to do some commentary for the BBC.

zack01

Strange mornings snooker, both players struggled, Trump will be glad to get out of there!
As the tournament has gone on I've become more impressed with Ding, Trump will go into tonight's session behind in a match since the tournament began, his world champion credentials are now on the line, two frames difference is not much but he can't afford another horror session like this morning.

Looking forward to Williams v Higgins coming up shortly.

Setun

Disappointed with Trump's performance today, although nearly everybody has a bad session at some point I suppose. Dott's thoughts on Trump could be very prescient now - he said that he looks great when he's on form as he has been over the last week or so, but how will he cope when things aren't working out for him? Controlling your self-doubt is a massive part of the game - we'll be seeing how good Trump is at that tonight.

Arthurdaly

I really hope williams does the business, pure talent and his demeanour has not changed over 20 years of pro snooker! A sneaky scottish cheat vs a lazy welsh guy!

CMON WILLIAMS

zack01

Just met the legend that is Ray Reardon!

syngindub

zack01 wrote: »

Just met the legend that is Ray Reardon!

your not the guy who's wearing the orange t-shirt for the past 2 weeks?

zack01

syngindub wrote: »

your not the guy who's wearing the orange t-shirt for the past 2 weeks?

I've been rumbled!!

syngindub

suppose you wouldn't be posting if you we're in attendance, so i guess it ain't you.

zack01

syngindub wrote: »

suppose you wouldn't be posting if you we're in attendance, so i guess it ain't you.

I've been hanging around the press room for the last ten days, probably only sat in a seat in the venue twice, prefer to loiter backstage!

syngindub

zack01 wrote: »

I've been hanging around the press room for the last ten days, probably only sat in a seat in the venue twice, prefer to loiter backstage!

i'd love that job

fryup

zack01 are you the culchie with the GAA top????????

Im Only 71Kg

Mod Edit: Post Removed

Another and you're banned.

zack01

Champions dinner just finished, disco on till the wee hours now, time to start celebrating with some of the Higgins clan.

Switching phone of can't read any more of the 'we hate Higgins brigade'

Drive to Holyhead and boat back to Dublin tomorrow.

Very likely with a sore head!

RachaelVO

zack01 wrote: »

Champions dinner just finished, disco on till the wee hours now, time to start celebrating with some of the Higgins clan.

Switching phone of can't read any more of the 'we hate Higgins brigade'

Drive to Holyhead and boat back to Dublin tomorrow.

Very likely with a sore head!

You're still a lucky sod all the same! That's a great reason to have a sore head!

zack01

Great night, sore head!!

In Holyhead waiting to drive on, shall watch what snooker was recorded on the sky+ when I get back.

Was going to come back over to watch some of the Q School but ten days in Sheffield is enough for me!