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Snooker season 2020/21

1356

Comments

  • #102
    zuutroy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,854 ✭✭✭zuutroy


    I think all 3 are close to gassed now. Ronnie was able to pick off a few events without even trying before the ascendance of Trump and return to form of Selby and Robertson but he's proven that his b-game gets ripped apart by them now. That said, it seems like he has been putting in the work this year and has looked good in the Masters and Championship League, so maybe he might have a good couple of months now. Beyond that he might stumble to the odd win if the aforementioned trio are dispensed with by someone else early on.


  • #103
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Wouldnt write anyone off. If Anthony Hamilton can win a ranking title at 45, then it wouldnt surprise me to see ronnie or higgins win one at 48. And higgins wasnt far off being crowned masters champion just last month. If a couple more yan bingtaos were to emerge, i think it would hasten their end much more quickly but, as it is, the top class competition is relatively thin enough imo.


  • #104
    robinwing
    Registered Users Posts: 480 ✭✭robinwing


    Think Ronnie is the only one of the class of 92 who could still win a ranking title/ As Zuutroy says theyre close to being gassed out . Might be enough gas in Ronnies tank for one more big one. He suffered a lot from mood and running has helped him a lot. Would love to see him win another world Championship at his age but odds probably against him. We will not see his like again


  • #105
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Aside from his other qualities, ronnie has an aura, like so many of the great champions. I'd say judd, robbo, selby, of the "younger" set, all but immune to it now, but plenty of others - murphy, ding, hawkins etc - still liable to be intimidated by his very presence. Did kyren wilson ever look like he truly believed he could win that world final? Long as it lasts, think ronnie will always have a chance.


  • #106
    zuutroy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,854 ✭✭✭zuutroy


    Trump playing absolutely awful today!


  • #107
    waynescales1
    Registered Users Posts: 2,193 ✭✭✭waynescales1


    Welsh Open deserves its own thread.


  • #108
    Arthur Daley
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭Arthur Daley


    Should be Jimmy v Ronnie in the last 64 after Jimmy got the w/o


  • #109
    robinwing
    Registered Users Posts: 480 ✭✭robinwing


    Arthur Daley wrote: »
    Should be Jimmy v Ronnie in the last 64 after Jimmy got the w/o

    Exit stage left Jimmy . Fergal playing young Aaron Hill at the moment


  • #110
    sligeach
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,129 ✭✭✭✭sligeach


    Stephen Hendry: Seven-time world champion to make comeback at Gibraltar Open

    https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/56092494

    I hope this comeback goes well. Hopefully he's put the practice in required.


  • #111
    cudsy1
    Registered Users Posts: 155 ✭✭cudsy1


    any way to watch aaron hill later?


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  • #112
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Hendry drawn against Matt Selt for his comeback in the Gibraltar Open.

    Judd has his say on it here. Not much encouragement for Hendo from the world No.1.

    https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/gibraltar-open/2020-2021/gibraltar-open-2021-it-is-a-strange-one-judd-trump-doubts-stephen-hendrys-comeback_sto8146422/story.shtml


  • #113
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Other first round matches of interest:

    Leo Fernandez v Ian Burns
    Ken v Matt Stevens
    Fergal v Iulian Boiko
    Aaron v Brandon Sergeant

    And seeing as it missed out in wales last week, the fates conspired to put Ronnie v Ali Carter again. Assuming Carter ok healthwise, thats quite the first round draw for a full 128 event.


  • #114
    waynescales1
    Registered Users Posts: 2,193 ✭✭✭waynescales1


    Ken Doherty and Matthew Stevens. Are those 2 ever not drawn together? Their head to head must be 100-100.


  • #115
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    waynescales1 wrote: »
    Ken Doherty and Matthew Stevens. Are those 2 ever not drawn together? Their head to head must be 100-100.

    Played a few times over years of course, including some big memorable crucible battles, but only 4 meetings in past 5 seasons which is enough i guess when you consider they don't often go deep in tournaments anymore. Have to make stevens firm favourite really, has retained more of his old ability than ken for whatever reason.


  • #116
    waynescales1
    Registered Users Posts: 2,193 ✭✭✭waynescales1


    Joe_ Public wrote: »
    Played a few times over years of course, including some big memorable crucible battles, but only 4 meetings in past 5 seasons which is enough i guess when you consider they don't often go deep in tournaments anymore. Have to make stevens firm favourite really, has retained more of his old ability than ken for whatever reason.

    Hmm... I must have imagined a large number of recent meetings. Ken’s sharp drop has always interested me. Around 36/37 years of age his ranking plummeted. Nowadays you’re still in your prime at that age.


  • #117
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    waynescales1 wrote: »
    Hmm... I must have imagined a large number of recent meetings. Ken’s sharp drop has always interested me. Around 36/37 years of age his ranking plummeted. Nowadays you’re still in your prime at that age.

    Yeah, have had a lot of discussions about that over the years. I dont know is there any definitive reason why it happened, suspect ken maybe at a loss too. Just one of those things that happened. I do think the 2003 world champs could be part of the answer, not winning that after all he'd been through must have been a hard blow. I dunno, but i dont think he was ever the same player after, maybe had one more decent year but never challenged at the worlds again. Perhaps he'd lost some belief, or a bit of hunger. Great career regardless, just a shame that happened.

    Only other caveat I'd enter is after the 92 generation you had a host of young talent filtering through, likes of murphy, hunter, lee, selby etc. It was a very competitive period.


  • #118
    El_Duderino 09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,553 ✭✭✭✭El_Duderino 09


    Joe_ Public wrote: »
    Yeah, have had a lot of discussions about that over the years. I dont know is there any definitive reason why it happened, suspect ken maybe at a loss too. Just one of those things that happened. I do think the 2003 world champs could be part of the answer, not winning that after all he'd been through must have been a hard blow. I dunno, but i dont think he was ever the same player after, maybe had one more decent year but never challenged at the worlds again. Perhaps he'd lost some belief, or a bit of hunger. Great career regardless, just a shame that happened.

    Only other caveat I'd enter is after the 92 generation you had a host of young talent filtering through, likes of murphy, hunter, lee, selby etc. It was a very competitive period.

    I wonder if there is a change in the level of professionalism. The class of 92 are a bit special but I think things changed a bit after them.

    I was also shocked recently when I heard players talking about their cue. Neil
    Robertson and Mark Allen both changed cues in the last year. Robertson felt the old cue had “lost some of the power” -not sure what he meant by that or if it was psychological. But he said he couldn’t get the same action on the cue ball.

    Then it switch to Ken who said he’s had the same cue since he was a teenager. I thought that was crazy. Surely a piece of timber will change over the decades having had hundreds of thousands of impacts with the ball.


  • #119
    robinwing
    Registered Users Posts: 480 ✭✭robinwing


    El_Duderino 09 wrote: »
    I wonder if there is a change in the level of professionalism. The class of 92 are a bit special but I think things changed a bit after them.

    I was also shocked recently when I heard players talking about their cue. Neil
    Robertson and Mark Allen both changed cues in the last year. Robertson felt the old cue had “lost some of the power” -not sure what he meant by that or if it was psychological. But he said he couldn’t get the same action on the cue ball.

    Then it switch to Ken who said he’s had the same cue since he was a teenager. I thought that was crazy. Surely a piece of timber will change over the decades having had hundreds of thousands of impacts with the ball.

    The like os Stephen Maguire and Dominic Dale change their cue very often ( as do lots of guys now) Incidentally Maguire was playing Dale recently and Dale was using a cue he bought from Maguire ! Maguire won


  • #120
    robinwing
    Registered Users Posts: 480 ✭✭robinwing


    El_Duderino 09 wrote: »
    I wonder if there is a change in the level of professionalism. The class of 92 are a bit special but I think things changed a bit after them.

    I was also shocked recently when I heard players talking about their cue. Neil
    Robertson and Mark Allen both changed cues in the last year. Robertson felt the old cue had “lost some of the power” -not sure what he meant by that or if it was psychological. But he said he couldn’t get the same action on the cue ball.

    Then it switch to Ken who said he’s had the same cue since he was a teenager. I thought that was crazy. Surely a piece of timber will change over the decades having had hundreds of thousands of impacts with the ball.

    To give Robertson has due, he had his cue for a very long time, many years, it had taken a lot of power shots and long pots , and felt his new cue generated more power .


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  • #121
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    robinwing wrote: »
    To give Robertson has due, he had his cue for a very long time, many years, it had taken a lot of power shots and long pots , and felt his new cue generated more power .

    I'm no cue expert but i'd say correct, i doubt it would be a decision he'd have taken lightly but felt it was necessary. Lots of players chop and change but a cue can still be a very personal thing, when mark davis temporarily lost his last year, he spoke about retiring if he didnt get it back. If you have an old cue and look after it really well, there's no reason i think you cant get years out of it. But todays players are playing lots more tournaments, travelling loads more and i suspect that would lead to more wear and tear, accumulation of moisture etc, which is what i think leads to reduction of power. Playing more in humid far east conditions another factor.

    I dont believe its a factor in the course of kens career anyway. A smashed cue was often held up as an excuse in hendrys decline, though, and i never really bought into that one either.


  • #122
    El_Duderino 09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,553 ✭✭✭✭El_Duderino 09


    robinwing wrote: »
    To give Robertson has due, he had his cue for a very long time, many years, it had taken a lot of power shots and long pots , and felt his new cue generated more power .

    Ken's cue must have taken a hell of a lot of shots over the decades, even if Robertson's individual shots might be more powerful. (I think he said he had it's the only cue he has ever had and has since he was 12, but that sounds like i might have misremembered).

    If there's anything to it then Ken's cue cant be as good as it used to be. He must be afraid to change it because he's so used to it rather than anything else.


  • #123
    robinwing
    Registered Users Posts: 480 ✭✭robinwing


    El_Duderino 09 wrote: »
    Ken's cue must have taken a hell of a lot of shots over the decades, even if Robertson's individual shots might be more powerful. (I think he said he had it's the only cue he has ever had and has since he was 12, but that sounds like i might have misremembered).

    If there's anything to it then Ken's cue cant be as good as it used to be. He must be afraid to change it because he's so used to it rather than anything else.

    Yeah probably right , I think it didn't cost too much either back in the day either. Did his father buy it for him ? I believe he, did so maybe very sentimental reasons for using it so long also


  • #124
    waynescales1
    Registered Users Posts: 2,193 ✭✭✭waynescales1


    El_Duderino 09 wrote: »
    If there's anything to it then Ken's cue cant be as good as it used to be. He must be afraid to change it because he's so used to it rather than anything else.

    That's what I don't understand. If I was a top player and I suffered a sharp decline I would be trying every possible solution under the sun. What did Ken have to lose by changing cue? It's a piece of junk he bought for £2. I actually thought that story was a joke at first.

    I was thinking about the '03 final as well. The analogy of the boxer who suffers an exhausting defeat never being the same again comes to mind.


  • #125
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    I recall an interview ken gave around late noughties when he was talking about his slip down the rankings in which he said his wife had asked him why he was coming across so negative in his interviews. She wasnt a big snooker fan afaik but she is a psychologist. And i think thats what happened, he just lost his confidence and never really got it back. One of the most frustrating matches i ever watched was the defeat to mcmanus in the 2005 worlds. That was last 16 with a qualifier Ian McCulloch waiting in the qf. The ken of 2 years previously would never have lost that match.

    The other thing is, it wasnt unusual for players of that era not to thrive beyond mid to late 30s. Hendry, ebdon, stevens etc. Jimmy didnt win much beyond his mid 30s either. And its clear to me the fact they were being assaulted by the greatest generation the game has known as well as a good crop of youth coming through was the dominant factor in that.


  • #126
    IRISHSPORTSGUY
    Registered Users Posts: 2,276 ✭✭✭IRISHSPORTSGUY


    Why is the North so successful at snooker compared to the South? Apart from Ken's early days.


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  • #127
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »
    Why is the North so successful at snooker compared to the South? Apart from Ken's early days.

    I think snooker had more of a tradition in the north from the early days. Jackie Rea emerged back in the 40s and 50s and would have been a huge inspiration to the likes of higgins and taylor. There were a few decent players down south but no one at that level. There probably other factors but i think thats part of it anyway.


  • #128
    Glenman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 976 ✭✭✭Glenman


    sligeach wrote: »
    Stephen Hendry: Seven-time world champion to make comeback at Gibraltar Open

    https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/56092494

    I hope this comeback goes well. Hopefully he's put the practice in required.

    Will his comeback match be televised anywhere?


  • #129
    zuutroy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,854 ✭✭✭zuutroy


    Glenman wrote: »
    Will his comeback match be televised anywhere?

    Would be very surprised if it's not on Eurosport.


  • #130
    2ndcoming
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭2ndcoming


    Higgins handing Selby his ass here on ITV4


  • #131
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,792 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    2ndcoming wrote: »
    Higgins handing Selby his ass here on ITV4

    Thread on the Players' Championship here:


    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058162461


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  • #132
    elgriff
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭elgriff


    https://youtu.be/orLfM3CzDng?t=39733 Always remember this as being a real pity of a miss. Actually an easier shot than I remember, though the next red was not a gimme had he got it.


  • #133
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    elgriff wrote: »
    https://youtu.be/orLfM3CzDng?t=39733 Always remember this as being a real pity of a miss. Actually an easier shot than I remember, though the next red was not a gimme had he got it.

    Missed a couple that frame i think, one into the middle too when all the balls were there for him. If he plays that shot along the top cushion easier maybe it drops, but i dont recall they slipped in so easily in those days.


  • #134
    waynescales1
    Registered Users Posts: 2,193 ✭✭✭waynescales1


    elgriff wrote: »
    https://youtu.be/orLfM3CzDng?t=39733 Always remember this as being a real pity of a miss. Actually an easier shot than I remember, though the next red was not a gimme had he got it.

    Looked a significant miss alright. His next shot costs him the frame.

    Must rewatch a full match of Ken in his prime, see how good a player he really was with the benefit of hindsight. Be interesting to compare his standard to that of the last decade.


  • #135
    Pighead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,184 ✭✭✭✭Pighead


    Yet another tournament this week! Coming thick and fast these days. surprised to see Ronnie had entered given he has had two long weeks on the trot now. I guess he's really given it his all this year to try and stay in form for that seventh world title tilt.

    Hendry's return tomorrow as well. Will be interesting to see how he fares. Not expecting a whole lot if I'm honest. Feeney may be good but he's not a miracle worker. Surely 12 years away from the game is just a bridge too far for Hendry to cross?


  • #136
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Wouldnt imagine a good few of the top guys would bother only its in Milton Keynes and it probably is the equivalent of a few days decent practice. Doubt ronnies ever played in it before, though judd is defending champ and chasing some sort of bonus prize so was always going to play. Seems to want to play in everything anyway, bar the shootout. No off switch with judd i think.


  • #137
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Always maintain with hendry, its all about getting back and having a crack at qualifying for the crucible. Otherwise, i see no point. Cant even begin to hope you might compete to retain your card if you dont play tournaments so all i see left worth bothering about is the worlds and seeing if he's in any shape to be competitive. Drawing his best pal here is interesting, dunno should it make much difference either way, but dont think its a bad thing anyway.


  • #138
    Genghis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,063 ✭✭✭Genghis


    Given that he retired out of not being able to accept modest achievement, it would be a big enough change for Hendry if he could focus on "just" getting back to the Crucible.

    I think if he gets a couple of wins, doesn't embarrass himself, he might well get comfortable with the modest goal; I fear if he doesn't have some early success he might abandon.

    Seems Eurosport is the only broadcaster for the Gibralter, so I will need to re-sub.


  • #139
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    I dunno, i may be underselling him. I remember being actually mildly surprised he was able to beat Nigel Bond(!) in the seniors last year and he's obviously had 6 months of hard work since. Only guessing what his thought processes could be, but getting to the crucible would represent a very decent achievement in my eyes anyway. Draw could be kind so never say never.


  • #140
    zuutroy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,854 ✭✭✭zuutroy


    Pighead wrote: »
    Yet another tournament this week! Coming thick and fast these days. surprised to see Ronnie had entered given he has had two long weeks on the trot now. I guess he's really given it his all this year to try and stay in form for that seventh world title tilt.

    And so it transpires. Ronnie and Higgins both withdrew


  • #141
    Pighead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,184 ✭✭✭✭Pighead


    zuutroy wrote: »
    And so it transpires. Ronnie and Higgins both withdrew
    The Hendry effect. Top players running scared!


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  • #142
    Arthur Daley
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭Arthur Daley


    6 grand if you reach a semi final and stick around until Saturday. Always likely there were going to be a few taking a break now.


  • #143
    waynescales1
    Registered Users Posts: 2,193 ✭✭✭waynescales1


    Joe_ Public wrote: »
    I dunno, i may be underselling him. I remember being actually mildly surprised he was able to beat Nigel Bond(!) in the seniors last year and he's obviously had 6 months of hard work since. Only guessing what his thought processes could be, but getting to the crucible would represent a very decent achievement in my eyes anyway. Draw could be kind so never say never.

    Where is this form needed to qualify for the WC going to come from? Look at his results in the seniors WC over the last decade. Ex-players who have long retired beating him comfortably. Trump was right to question the legitimacy of his return.


  • #144
    Genghis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,063 ✭✭✭Genghis


    I may have this wrong, but wasn't Hendry getting some benefit from sight right coaching? Same technique that revived Mark Williams and improved Ronnie, among others?


  • #145
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    waynescales1 wrote: »
    Where is this form needed to qualify for the WC going to come from? Look at his results in the seniors WC over the last decade. Ex-players who have long retired beating him comfortably. Trump was right to question the legitimacy of his return.

    I'm not unduly bothered by the whole hendry comeback thing really, but i presume faith is supposed to come from the fact he's knuckled down for the first time in a decade and worked on his technical game with steve feeney. Thats the theory i guess. As for the worlds, i wouldnt be putting hard cash on it anyway, but you could have a situation where he had to beat, say, Reanne Evans/Rory McLeod/Michael Holt to qualify or he could draw Joe Perry or Bingham first round. In one scenario, he might have some small squeak at least.


  • #146
    Joe_ Public
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Put it all another way, i'd still fancy jimmy to make the crucible ahead of hendry and i dont fancy jimmy whatsoever. No real idea what hendry thinks he can get out of the whole thing, but i know for hearn its a nice bit of cheap publicity for a sport that always needs every bit it can get.


  • #147
    elgriff
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭elgriff


    Feels like Hendry's heart not really in it. Always a big fan so let's see where it goes. I read he had 24 hours to say yes. I think that, along with seeing his peers still winning, and now the delays in coming back, all adds up to being interested in having a crack but without committing a whole lot.


  • #148
    The Nal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,024 ✭✭✭✭The Nal


    Ronnie on a maxi...


  • #149
    Arthur Daley
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭Arthur Daley


    In his own gaff? Ronnie's gone home


  • #150
    The Nal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,024 ✭✭✭✭The Nal


    Arthur Daley wrote: »
    In his own gaff? Ronnie's gone home

    Ha yes only had it on in the background. Replay of the China Open from 2018!

    Time for bed it seems. Night all.


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  • #151
    Rothko
    Registered Users Posts: 12,906 ✭✭✭✭Rothko


    About the match tomorrow, I've obviously heard of Selt but I've never actually seen him play. Surprised to see that he's ranked at 35.


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