2014 World Championship - Discussion

[nicklowry12]

Ronnie is going to have to make some serious changes about how he goes about the match during the interval. I can't see him winning another frame the entire match if this continues. Credit where it's due though Selby has really stepped up today.

[wake_up_bomb]

The big difference between the two of them is that Selby is happy to make 12, run out of position, play a containing safety, black goes safe, gets in again, makes 20, plays safe again, gets in again, makes 6, misses a pot but leaves it awkward for his opponent, etc, all day long. Ronnie cannot cope with this, he can play great safety, in fact he is a better safety player than Selby, but all of his play is aggressive. If Ronnie played eleven frames, lost eight of them and didn’t make a 50 break he just wouldn’t be able to cope with it. If the balls start running better for Ronnie then he can still win quite easily.

[jrc750]

Selby as usual suffocating an opponent! Hopefully he will come out with renewed vigour after the interval.

I have to wonder sometimes if anyone on here actually plays snooker !!

[richo]

Agreed that entertainment is partly important, which is why I am not watching now. Don't want to watch this style of play so just catching up via forum and news.

There is some deliberate slow play. He is often getting down a couple of times on pots then back up again and wondering round the table, just trying to frustrate ROS, and you have to say it's working.

[Masterdoctorgenius]

ronnies head has gone

why dont put him back and then play such dumb saftey shot

[cueman]

Steve peters has his work cut out in the mid session interval. If he can't find a way for Ronnie to turn the match around I can see Ronnie going back to the guy of old and possibly walking away from the game for good.

He won't want to endure more matches against a guy who plays like this and is not good for the game. Its almost impossible to play against someone who plays like Selby does unless they employ exactly the same tactics. I'd hoped that playing open attacking snooker would prevail against a negative safety player but this match has proved that the negative approach will always come out on top, especially so in longer matches when they keep their opponent in their seat.

Unfortunately for snooker other players will now see the success of Selby's style and will realise its easy enough to copy, you just need patience, and lots of it, and it helps if you can pull a stupid face and pretend you are funny and have a personality and you will do well.
Neil Robertson is proof of this who went from a very attacking player into a match player in the style of Selby. If he can turn down his entertaining style in preference to that of Selby, who is to say other attack minded players like Trump and Ding won't decide to go down the same route.

We could literally have a clone of Selby style players in the next few years, no style at all, just substance. Lots of safety, tactics and boring breakbuilding. I'd love to see what Hearn does to combat it, shot clock anyone?!!!!

[luke-h]

I have to wonder sometimes if anyone on here actually plays snooker !!

Been playing to decent standard for over 18 years, yes i do actually play snooker....

[trains]

When was the last time Ronnie lost 6 straight frames at the Crucible ? 2006 v Dott ?

[Masterdoctorgenius]

misses frame ball and again nothing on

this is just sick

[richo]

Steve peters has his work cut out in the mid session interval. If he can't find a way for Ronnie to turn the match around I can see Ronnie going back to the guy of old and possibly walking away from the game for good.

He won't want to endure more matches against a guy who plays like this and is not good for the game. Its almost impossible to play against someone who plays like Selby does unless they employ exactly the same tactics. I'd hoped that playing open attacking snooker would prevail against a negative safety player but this match has proved that the negative approach will always come out on top, especially so in longer matches when they keep their opponent in their seat.

Unfortunately for snooker other players will now see the success of Selby's style and will realise its easy enough to copy, you just need patience, and lots of it, and it helps if you can pull a stupid face and pretend you are funny and have a personality and you will do well.
Neil Robertson is proof of this who went from a very attacking player into a match player in the style of Selby. If he can turn down his entertaining style in preference to that of Selby, who is to say other attack minded players like Trump and Ding won't decide to go down the same route.

We could literally have a clone of Selby style players in the next few years, no style at all, just substance. Lots of safety, tactics and boring breakbuilding. I'd love to see what Hearn does to combat it, shot clock anyone?!!!!

Agree with this, it's spot on. Could be very bad for the game.

[wake_up_bomb]

There is some deliberate slow play. He is often getting down a couple of times on pots then back up again and wondering round the table, just trying to frustrate ROS, and you have to say it's working.

I have to agree with this, but it is up to Ronnie to deal with it. The rules are the same for both players.

[montoya10]

Well, Ronnie hasn't done himself any good since after that early first break he got in frame 18. He can't really complain about luck at the moment, to be fair.

[vdking114]

I had always thought snooker was a boring game and had no intention of watching but I remember when i was attracted to the game for the first time, it was Higgins vs Ronnie in the Masters final where higgins won 10-9 had everything attacking snooker,good safety plays,excellent break building.Can't imagine new fans coming over seeing Selby playing snooker and saying they enjoy it lol.

[Ronnie's tip]

For god sake. Absolutely nothing is working.

[dino]

So Selby's ahead for the first time since the match started and all of a sudden he's favourite to win it? Interesting...