2014 World Championship - Discussion

[vilkrang]

People wre saying this before the Murphy match, and before this match as well - 'x won't give him the same chances as x'. Selby was destroyed in the Mastets final, why would you think it will be any different now? He's in a different league to everyone else, whether it be in terms of snooker or because he has them beat before the match starts. Doesn't make sense to keep saying this.

Have you been watching both semis? Robertson and Selby with their level of play would also be beating Barry 10-2. And yes, Ronnie did batter Selby but he also battered him 9-3 in the UK Championship of 2009 and we all know what happened in the Masters final after that. Selby has beaten Ronnie 7 times out of 21 and they are tied in their last 6 matches. Ronnie would be favourite but it's absurd to think that Selby won't have a chance.

[rich45]

and again with Taylor! Show some consideration to the players.

[scottley]

People wre saying this before the Murphy match, and before this match as well - 'x won't give him the same chances as x'. Selby was destroyed in the Mastets final, why would you think it will be any different now? He's in a different league to everyone else, whether it be in terms of snooker or because he has them beat before the match starts. Doesn't make sense to keep saying this.

Exactly, he can't be beaten over this sort of distance because he is just too good, and as much as i would like Mark to beat him i just simply can't see it, but we will see.

[Masterdoctorgenius]

Barry has been gifting him chances every frame. The safety in the other semi is of a very high standard and neither of those players will be missing regulation pots the way Barry has been. Yes, Ronnie is taking most of the chances but he won't get as many against Selby or Robertson. I really think it will be a close final and it wouldn't massively surprise me if Ronnie lost.

Neil missed many black off its spots. And selby played some loose saftey. So to say they wont miss is a bit exaggerated

[vilkrang]

Neil missed many black off its spots. And selby played some loose saftey. So to say they wont miss is a bit exaggerated

Agreed, which is why I never said they won't miss, I said they won't miss to the same degree that Barry has done. Even I wouldn't miss the same way Barry has been.

[Masterdoctorgenius]

Ronnie intimidates many players. His presence alone puts the opponents under extreme pressure

[Odrl]

Selby was destroyed in the Mastets final, why would you think it will be any different now?

Well, I think he is playing a little better at this point. He should also be one of the few players who are not beaten before it starts, as you put it, because he has won as many big matches against O'Sullivan as he has lost in the past, so he should have the belief he can beat him. He was beaten heavily by O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship in 2009, 9-3, but came back to beat him 10-9 in the Masters a couple of weeks later, and also 13-11 in the World Championship that same season.

Let's put it this way, whoever plays O'Sullivan in the final will be second favourite. But if they didn't make double figures I would be massively surprised. :wink:

[gwltabb]

Agreed, I am not saying neither won't have a chance (they have more chance than any he's played so far), I was just making the point that people keep saying it won't be as easy, and when the match comes, their arse drops out or they simply get outplayed. Also, playing Ronnie is the final of the Worlds, where he has won it 5 times and never lost a final is much harder than any other event. Both Selby nor Robertson will have experienced that before.

[cebs]

Shame Barry hasn't turned up for this match really, he is ranked fourth in the world but based on this you'd never think it.

Think we might see Ronnie turn on some style now for the remainder of this match and I know he will be wanting Robertson to win his semi so fingers crossed we get a good final not a grinding one.

I think Ronnie can take Selby's grinding game nowadays as his head in the right place and I think that is why mark didn't grind too much in the master's final.

Can see WC number 6 this year and then I reckon he will be well up for number 7 next year,

[scottley]

It would be nice to see someone take the game to him, but they mostly freeze, Ronnie is just playing with so much freedom right now its hard to see him being stopped!

[rich45]

In what world is Dennis Taylor in if he thought that was a kick? It was the top spin!

[Hinzy9]

Well, I think he is playing a little better at this point. He should also be one of the few players who are not beaten before it starts, as you put it, because he has won as many big matches against O'Sullivan as he has lost in the past, so he should have the belief he can beat him. He was beaten heavily by O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship in 2009, 9-3, but came back to beat him 10-9 in the Masters a couple of weeks later, and also 13-11 in the World Championship that same season.

Let's put it this way, whoever plays O'Sullivan in the final will be second favourite. But if they didn't make double figures I would be massively surprised. :wink:

We all know the 2009 ROS is very different to the 2012-onwards ROS! If ROS turns up with his head screwed on (which is very likely with Steve Peters present) then even his B game will be plenty good enough to dispatch Robertson or Selby over a long framed match. I can only think of Higgins in the modern era that might have given him a game on this form.

[scottley]

Antiques roadshow for a change, jokers!

[cebs]

Off bbc2 for nothing and switch to red button and what is on....

Holding logo, wtf.

Barry Hearn needs to have a major word with the beeb, or sack them off and go to itv.

[Odrl]

We all know the 2009 ROS is very different to the 2012-onwards ROS! If ROS turns up with his head screwed on (which is very likely with Steve Peters present) then even his B game will be plenty good enough to dispatch Robertson or Selby over a long framed match. I can only think of Higgins in the modern era that might have given him a game on this form.

But he played Robertson in 2012, and Robertson did give him a game, didn't he?