2014 World Championship - Discussion

[Hello, Mr Big Shot]

I'm feeling the opposite. 2 hours of hard match play snooker. Bliss.

Agreed. I really don't understand cueman's sentiments there. Back in the 'good old days' of the 80s, when snooker was at its peak and attracting massive viewing figures, what we've watched tonight was pretty much standard fair.

It was good enough then so why not now?

Because times change. Good luck persauding people to go back to the 80s. There is no entertainment to be had in watching a man watching a table.

[Hello, Mr Big Shot]

Go watch some 9-ball pool then. There's plenty on youtube.

Great reply! Genius.

Except the grinders at 9 ball have made it even slower than snooker, which is why it is on youtube in the first place.

[vmax4steve]

Ultimately, snooker or any sport is about playing the right shot at the right time. Ronnie plays the way he does because he believes he can win that way and he has less chance if it's a grind because he puts himself through the blender mentally. Other players might think playing a high risk strategy is not in their interest. You can't force people to change their style to one that doesn't suit them. In tennis, I'm not a fan of Nadal's style of play, but I don't expect him to change it because he's won 8 French Opens in 9 years playing that way. Not everyone likes Selby, but you can't expect him to start taking on difficult pots left-handed and taking 15 seconds per shot because people like Ronnie (including me).

Ronnie no longer thinks about his opponent, that's the big difference in his mental approach. His work with Dr. Peters has finally convinced him that he really is that good and he needs to fear no one. The odd bad shot is now taken to be a temporary blip and not the forewarning of doom like it used to be with him.

Selby and Robertson on the other hand think an awful lot about their opponent and tailor their approach to matches according to who they are playing. They both use gamesmanship to affect the concentration of their opponent, especially those they know have a weakness for losing focus when certain elements are thrown against them.
This shows a lack of belief in their own talent to truly stand toe to toe with anyone, despite evidence to the contrary when playing freely themselves, finding their A game and playing as well as anyone else. Robertson is a great long potter, but he reigns it in when playing someone of equal ability like Trump, and Selby is of the same ilk, both have this underlying fear of the flair players despite having an abundance of flair themselves.
It's this fear that is always their ultimate undoing, Ronnie has lost his fear, that's the difference between him and the rest. Murphy was playing great until he met Ronnie, then it all went pear shaped and he found his excuse to lose when he got a couple of kicks and started to play expecting them. Ronnie gets a kick and just plays on, Ronnie goes in off and just plays on, Ronnie gets a fluke against him and just plays on and then when all these things reverse and go for him rather than against him he is in the right frame of mind to also simply play on.

[daffie]

Vmax4steve : regarding ROS...couldn't have put it any better...spot on.

Meanwhile Barry already choking on the fear/pressure it seems. I'm wondering how long this match will continue...will it end with a session to spare? I'm pretty sure it will

[alphabetagaga]

a black shirt and clean shaven ros today. good times ahead :tongue:

[daffie]

a black shirt and clean shaven ros today. good times ahead :tongue:

:tongue: Yup...fearing the worst.

[Stormwatch]

Ronnie no longer thinks about his opponent, that's the big difference in his mental approach. His work with Dr. Peters has finally convinced him that he really is that good and he needs to fear no one. The odd bad shot is now taken to be a temporary blip and not the forewarning of doom like it used to be with him.

Selby and Robertson on the other hand think an awful lot about their opponent and tailor their approach to matches according to who they are playing. They both use gamesmanship to affect the concentration of their opponent, especially those they know have a weakness for losing focus when certain elements are thrown against them.
This shows a lack of belief in their own talent to truly stand toe to toe with anyone, despite evidence to the contrary when playing freely themselves, finding their A game and playing as well as anyone else. Robertson is a great long potter, but he reigns it in when playing someone of equal ability like Trump, and Selby is of the same ilk, both have this underlying fear of the flair players despite having an abundance of flair themselves.
It's this fear that is always their ultimate undoing, Ronnie has lost his fear, that's the difference between him and the rest. Murphy was playing great until he met Ronnie, then it all went pear shaped and he found his excuse to lose when he got a couple of kicks and started to play expecting them. Ronnie gets a kick and just plays on, Ronnie goes in off and just plays on, Ronnie gets a fluke against him and just plays on and then when all these things reverse and go for him rather than against him he is in the right frame of mind to also simply play on.

Bull's eye! Totally agree...

[PatBlock]

Vmax4steve : regarding ROS...couldn't have put it any better...spot on.

Meanwhile Barry already choking on the fear/pressure it seems. I'm wondering how long this match will continue...will it end with a session to spare? I'm pretty sure it will

Easily, probably a session and a half.

-

[vilkrang]

I think I'd stand a chance against Barry the way he is playing!

[cebs]

Knew Barry was in trouble as soon as saw Ronnie in black, shaven and hair done. That's the I am up for it today look imo.

Barry looked gone in the corridor before the match, looked liked he had no sleep and now after those easy misses to the same pocket this looks all over.

Feel sorry for folks with a ticket for tomorrow's session.

[vilkrang]

The whole apologising thing after a fluke is actually just ridiculously dishonest isn't it? There isn't a professional player who is genuinely sorry after fluking a ball, if they were then they would play a safety rather than carry on with a break. It just seems like faux sportsmanship to me.

[dino]

The whole apologising thing after a fluke is actually just ridiculously dishonest isn't it? There isn't a professional player who is genuinely sorry after fluking a ball, if they were then they would play a safety rather than carry on with a break. It just seems like faux sportsmanship to me.

Of course you are not sorry, you are actually more than happy to get a fluke, but it's your way of saying, this is not what I went for, I know you are not happy but I have to play on and there's nothing you can do about it

[cyberheater]

I'm just watching a bit of it now. Ronnie has cracked Barry like a nut. Poor Barry.

[zombieman]

The way Ronnie casually potted that red after Barry missed it twice and would've been in all sorts of trouble for his third shot really shows how he approaches the game. Can't think of any other player who is that positive in these situations.

[scottley]

Poor Baz, this is gonna be a spare session.