2019 World Snooker Championship (Mod Note Post One)

sligeach · 23-04-2019 05:00PM

Pissartist wrote: »

Hendry is the greatest champion, but the best player of all time is O'sullivan.
Hendry himself has admitted the fact.

I've seen him being pestered before by some on the BBC on this subject. I'm sure privately he has a different opinion. I think some people forget just how good he was. At his best, he was untouchable. He was almost like a machine. Yes, sure his game later in his career was nowhere near the same. He could have played on but it must have been hugely frustrating for him knowing that he wasn't the same player. But at his best, and O'Sullivan at his best, I'd pick Hendry every single time.

spurshero · 23-04-2019 05:04PM

Think I don’t like about Ronnie is his attitude if he’s doing us all a favour by playing . Snooker has made him a lot of money and if he Forgets that imo. I knows he’s great to watch but he dosent make himself very likable at times and I think that’s why people either are a fan or not . There’s not much middle ground

DelBoy Trotter · 23-04-2019 05:09PM

I’ve only seen a bit of this Trump match, but he seems a bit out of sorts at the moment

sligeach · 23-04-2019 05:14PM

Trump hasn't been great and he's under huge pressure now. Un-Nooh has played some decent stuff.

martyos121 · 23-04-2019 05:15PM

Trump leading on every stat that Eurosport showed yet he’s 6-3 down. I think he’ll come back and win it tomorrow though, he showed his ability to recover his form this time last year so I fancy him to do it again.

Lavinia · 23-04-2019 05:40PM

DelBoy Trotter wrote: »

I’ve only seen a bit of this Trump match, but he seems a bit out of sorts at the moment

wouldn't be the first time..

_feedback_ · 23-04-2019 05:55PM

sligeach wrote: »

I've seen him being pestered before by some on the BBC on this subject. I'm sure privately he has a different opinion. I think some people forget just how good he was. At his best, he was untouchable. He was almost like a machine. Yes, sure his game later in his career was nowhere near the same. He could have played on but it must have been hugely frustrating for him knowing that he wasn't the same player. But at his best, and O'Sullivan at his best, I'd pick Hendry every single time.

If there's one thing that can be said about Stephen Hendry, it is that he is brutally honest! There's no way he would just say something to please a BBC presenter..

It's the really refreshing thing about him that he is so honest and doesn't hold back.

hetuzozaho · 23-04-2019 06:20PM

sligeach wrote: »

But at his best, and O'Sullivan at his best, I'd pick Hendry every single time.

Pick them to do what though?

If it's for me to sit down and watch, it's o sullivan all day. At his best, means a 147 in 5 mins

In my opinion, obviously, o sullivan has done things hendry just couldn't do, and they are far more interesting to me than what hendry could do that Ronnie couldn't, that is keep his head together and dominate.

melon_collie · 23-04-2019 06:29PM

I'm not a Ronnie fan. I acknowledge that he's the most talented player to ever pick up a cue. No question about that. It's his behaviour off the table that annoys me. I'm disappointed that he's gone out of the tournament as this will result in s drop of TV viewer numbers. However there's a part of me that's glad he was taught a lesson. In the past has he shown a total disregard for lower ranked players. . . . . Referring to them as "numpties". He thinks he's above everyone.

hetuzozaho · 23-04-2019 06:34PM

melon_collie wrote: »

I'm not a Ronnie fan. I acknowledge that he's the most talented player to ever pick up a cue. No question about that. It's his behaviour off the table that annoys me. I'm disappointed that he's gone out of the tournament as this will result in s drop of TV viewer numbers. However there's a part of me that's glad he was taught a lesson. In the past has he shown a total disregard for lower ranked players. . . . . Referring to them as "numpties". He thinks he's above everyone.

Yes I agree with this. I find him extremely rude in every interview he does to be honest.

And the disregard for the lower ranked is frustrating for me, when he talks about how he lives his life it doesn't line up with how he treats others at times I feel. The refs, and other opponents at times. He talks the talk

But hitting balls around a snooker table, I've never seen better or enjoyed watching anyone as much so hate to see the best, imo and surely other's second best after hendry, go out.

SharpshooterTom · 23-04-2019 06:36PM

Pissartist wrote: »

Hendry is the greatest champion, but the best player of all time is O'sullivan.
Hendry himself has admitted the fact.

Lots of people call others the greatest ever. Nicklaus thinks Woods is the greatest, whereas Woods thinks its Nicklaus.

Its a form of self modesty if you will.

hetuzozaho · 23-04-2019 06:39PM

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

Lots of people call others the greatest ever. Nicklaus thinks Woods is the greatest, whereas Woods thinks its Nicklaus.

Its a form of self modesty if you will.

Yeah sure Ronnie has said hendry and John Higgins lots of times.

it's the kind of thing there's no real answer as such. They achieved different things and have had amazing careers.

Its like Ronaldo v Messi argument etc

Hendry wins on the nice guy front for me though!

gormdubhgorm · 23-04-2019 07:15PM

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

Shambolic from Ronnie.

Great to see Cahill not break under pressure at the end. A not-arsed Ronnie didn't deserve to win that.

I think Ronnie had a very heavy cold/virus or something the real irony is that in his post match interview. He said that he felt great mentally but terrible physically.

gormdubhgorm · 23-04-2019 07:16PM

hetuzozaho wrote: »

Yeah sure Ronnie has said hendry and John Higgins lots of times.

it's the kind of thing there's no real answer as such. They achieved different things and have had amazing careers.

Its like Ronaldo v Messi argument etc

Hendry wins on the nice guy front for me though!

Hendry nice guy? Sure he dumped his wife of 20 plus years for a virtually identical younger model when his career was winding down.

gormdubhgorm · 23-04-2019 07:21PM

Inviere wrote: »

Ronnie has done things Hendry couldn't even dream of to be fair. The closest Hendry got to #1 at 43 years of age was a urinal just outside the commentary box. Ronnie has been elite far, far longer than Hendry was, and for me that makes the difference.

Hendry is an all time great, and there's merit in the discussion for sure. I think he's excellent as a commentator, was devastating in 90's, and raised the standard of the entire game. Ronnie has done all that too, for far longer though. He hasn't fizzled out, and barring this most recent showing, is still at the very top of the game almost 30 years after turning professional. Hendry did fizzle out after the 90's, whereas Ronnie has just kept going. The difference of two world titles is more than made up for considering the level of competition these days.

Steve Davis said after the game that he does not think O'Sullivan will reach Hendry's record of Seven worlds now. But he does think he is capable of winning tournaments in his 50's.
It sounded like bit of a contradiction to me!

Frank O. Pinion · 23-04-2019 07:24PM

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

I think Ronnie had a very heavy cold/virus or something the real irony is that in his post match interview. He said that he felt great mentally but terrible physically.

David Gilbert is sick too, caught it from his 1 year old daughter.

Lavinia · 23-04-2019 07:26PM

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Steve Davis said after the game that he does not think O'Sullivan will reach Hendry's record of Seven worlds now. But he does think he is capable of winning tournaments in his 50's.
It sounded like bit of a contradiction to me!

worlds is the hardest tournament to win so maybe ronnie does not have it in himself anymore, does not mean he cannot win shorter format tournaments

zuutroy · 23-04-2019 07:26PM

The WC just doesn't suit him anymore. Doesn't have the focus for the longer matches, and Dale made the point that Ronnie views it as a pressure cooker, as he carries the tournament on his back and there's nowhere to hide in Sheffield as the place is just snooker central for 3 weeks.
He can definitely win every other tournament for probably another 10 years but I can't see him winning another WC. Six years of not getting the single table setup is a pretty big sample to draw on.

hetuzozaho · 23-04-2019 07:27PM

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Hendry nice guy? Sure he dumped his wife of 20 plus years for a virtually identical younger model when his career was winding down.

I don't know the ins and outs of his relationships, I'll pick up Heat magazine tomorrow

, just mean how he speaks to people in interviews I watch. He ain't rude to folk.

Arthur Daley · 23-04-2019 07:36PM

Joe_ Public wrote: »

And the long storied pro career of Jimmy White finally at an end with 4-10 loss to Ali Carter. Doubt it'll be the last we'll see of Jimmy though, probably head to q school now and can see the odd invite next season.

Jimmy has got his tour card renewed.

White speaks so endearingly it prompts a cliched question. If he had the chance would he do anything differently? “I would have prepared differently before big matches but I wouldn’t change my life. I’ve had a right crack. On my 50th birthday the Rolling Stones played at my party at Grosvenor House. That’s not bad for a kid from Tooting.”
We swap contact details and I smile when I see his number ends in 147147. It seems just right for the maestro but I fear the end for White. Q school is a notoriously difficult route into the main tour as it is filled with hungry young players from around the world.
On Saturday evening, as a beautiful day fades away, my phone pings. I see White’s name. He needs two tries to send me the glorious news as the first text suggests he has won a “tool” card. I imagine him chuckling as he rails against predictive text in his second message. Then, saying “I’m delighted”, the polite old charmer confirms he did not need a wildcard to avoid Q School. World Snooker, knowing how much they need his enduring popularity, have returned his full tour card. He will be back playing after the world championship.
I think of Alex Higgins shouting “I’ve got nine lives, baby!” after their drunken car crash. His great friend has escaped the end again. Jimmy White, the Whirlwind from Tooting, will savour every last drop of life he has left in snooker.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/apr/23/jimmy-white-interview-alex-higgins-world-snooker-championships

Frank O. Pinion · 23-04-2019 08:10PM

That's great for Jimmy, but like Neal Foulds, I think there really should be clear and fair criteria for giving out tour cards. He's taking a spot on the tour from other players that have to earn it.

gormdubhgorm · 23-04-2019 08:21PM

Frank O. Pinion wrote: »

That's great for Jimmy, but like Neal Foulds, I think there really should be clear and fair criteria for giving out tour cards. He's taking a spot on the tour from other players that have to earn it.

I agree Jimmy should earn it like every other player at least start playing well etc.

Otherwise is just a cynical marketing exercise.

Joe_ Public · 23-04-2019 08:46PM

Yes agree with all that. Its good news for Jimmy and of course he remains a draw even if he's lower down the rankings, but it doesn't say much for hearn and his level playing field for all. Pretty much just makes up the rules to suit as he goes along.

Joe_ Public · 23-04-2019 08:47PM

Dont know if i can see Mark Allen winning this one. Just looks vulnerable of late and his opponent is no kind of mug. Already two down and could get worse.

Hotblack Desiato · 23-04-2019 09:03PM

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Yes agree with all that. Its good news for Jimmy and of course he remains a draw even if he's lower down the rankings, but it doesn't say much for hearn and his level playing field for all. Pretty much just makes up the rules to suit as he goes along.

As long as it's only a couple of tour cards, what's the big deal. Adds a bit of interest and the young lads are climbing a very greasy pole as it is, given the huge numbers of young players coming out of Asia the competition can only get fiercer and a couple of tour cards taken off Jimmy or Ken won't make any difference.

Joe_ Public · 23-04-2019 09:12PM

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

As long as it's only a couple of tour cards, what's the big deal. Adds a bit of interest and the young lads are climbing a very greasy pole as it is, given the huge numbers of young players coming out of Asia the competition can only get fiercer and a couple of tour cards taken off Jimmy or Ken won't make any difference.

Sure, it doesn't make any difference to me, but I'd say it makes a difference to the guy or guys who would have earned tour cards had jimmy (or anyone else) not been handed them. Not saying that it's a huge deal, but barry hearn is the one who always talks about earning and creating a level playing field and this just smacks of hypocrisy imho. But it's jimmy and jimmy is a lot more popular than some unknown amateur who would have got that place so nobody is going to make a fuss about it - apart from some nonentity on boards that is

ArmaniJeanss · 23-04-2019 09:19PM

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

As long as it's only a couple of tour cards, what's the big deal. Adds a bit of interest and the young lads are climbing a very greasy pole as it is, given the huge numbers of young players coming out of Asia the competition can only get fiercer and a couple of tour cards taken off Jimmy or Ken won't make any difference.

It really should be transparent, and within some clearly defined parameters.
I'd have no problem if it was that getting to 4 world finals or winning X Triple crowns gets you a card until your 60th birthday or something, but it would have to equally apply to Dott or Murphy or Ebdon if they 'fit' the parameters.

As Irish sports fans we've also seen recently that it's inherently wrong to have a board/supremo who doesn't have to answer to anyone and can make up the rules as they go along.

The Iron Giant · 23-04-2019 09:30PM

Mark Allen struggling here.

Another upset on the cards?

Frank O. Pinion · 23-04-2019 09:35PM

Bingham just lost a frame, by the "3 miss" rule, against Dott. Dott was 8-1 down, now 9-7.

blackcard · 23-04-2019 09:36PM

Is Bingham trying to throw this match?

2019 World Snooker Championship (Mod Note Post One)

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