The Masters 2016 10-17 January

[itsnoteasy]

I love Ronnie, for me the best player to ever hold a cue, not the best match player, that's Hendry, but the most gifted player ever, but he is nowhere near his best here ,I doubt he's even at 75%,( not seen any of the final) but he's still winning, that's really worrying for snooker long term. Couple that with Higgins winning four titles this year even though he's way way past his best ( it's utter garbage commentators saying he's playing like he did at his best)and it's not good, you need strength in depth to create interest or at least two top players going toe to toe.
Trump pumping the air for a quarter final win I found very strange, shows something's missing, would Ronnie or Hendry, Higgins or Davis do that? I doubt it because they are winners, only interested in being last man standing, not getting to the last four.

[thevenue2]

Trump pumping the air for a quarter final win I found very strange, shows something's missing, would Ronnie or Hendry, Higgins or Davis do that? I doubt it because they are winners, only interested in being last man standing, not getting to the last four.

Yes, that's a good point, I noticed this happening way more lately too, it's almost like they've been told to "big it up" when they win?

[alphabetagaga]

9 odd months away from competitive snooker and he is on the verge of a 6th masters on his comeback. shame on the dis-likers. sounds pretty good to me

[Billy]

[...] but what I can't fathom, is the sheer hatered for him at times, I don't recall any other player on here who gets the same amount of hate?

I could be wrong, but I think any dislike of Ronnie is on a rather unfair association basis. For many fans of the game, the sport would manage just fine without him - it managed before he came along, and it will continue to do so after he's gone. It's a cliche, I know, but no player is bigger than the sport. They said the game wouldn't survive without AH, but hey guess what, it did.

This is where the associated negativity towards Ronnie comes from - it's the belief and opinion held by many of his fans that snooker is nothing without him which grates so much on the true snooker fans. I like to watch him play - when he's on it he's unplayable - but not once have I 'missed' him during any of his sabbaticals, and nor do I think the sport has suffered either.

[trains]

The poor understanding of snooker isn't helped by the BBC commentators who act like a deficit of 3 - 4 frames has never happened before and the player behind is suffering some sort of mental crisis.

[tetricky]

....This is where the associated negativity towards Ronnie comes from - the belief and opinion by many of his fans that snooker is nothing without him. I like to watch him play - when he's on it he's unplayable - but not once have I 'missed' him during any of his sabbaticals, and nor do I think the sport has suffered either.

I think this is the point. There's not a lot of hate for Ronnie, it's just that ronnie fans can't imagine anyone doing anything but w@n! over him. if they don't, it must be hate.

At his best ronnies cue ball controll and breakbuilding is unmatched. his safety is good, and his long potting has been. he's a remarkable player....so why is his record not the best, depsite his longevity? He's not the greatest match player, sometimes he struggles to get to the venue, never mind be a top player. All flaws.

He's great, no doubt...but personally i prefer different types of players...players who wring every last drop out of what they have.

[barrywhite]

I could be wrong, but I think any dislike of Ronnie is on a rather unfair association basis. For many fans of the game, the sport would manage just fine without him - it managed before he came along, and it will continue to do so after he's gone. It's a cliche, I know, but no player is bigger than the sport. They said the game wouldn't survive without AH, but hey guess what, it did.

This is where the associated negativity towards Ronnie comes from - it's the belief and opinion held by many of his fans that snooker is nothing without him which grates so much on the true snooker fans. I like to watch him play - when he's on it he's unplayable - but not once have I 'missed' him during any of his sabbaticals, and nor do I think the sport has suffered either.

To some extent I agree. If one of the young uns can rise and play the game ridiculously good and make it look easy (maybe Judd?), the baton is taken care of. Snooker needs flair players as a contrast to the robots. So there's a player for every fan to applaud

Alex --> Jimmy --> Ronnie --> Judd?

[Billy]

The poor understanding of snooker isn't helped by the BBC commentators who act like a deficit of 3 - 4 frames has never happened before and the player behind is suffering some sort of mental crisis.

I think that's just a sign of the times. Snooker these days is all out attack, so a 3 or 4 frame deficit is indeed a problem. Twenty-five years ago or more, and that simply wasn't the case.

[SnookerFan]

I know I'll get accused of trying to spoil his big moment, but sod it. He's had five of these big moments before.

Who saw Snooker Backer's claims about Ronnie's rape comments.

http://www.snookerbacker.com/

More specifically this bit;

"As for Ronnie, he came through against Stuart Bingham last night and then marched into his press conference, declaring just before it started that he had ‘the touch of a rapist’. I’m sure this was off the record but it’s been put out there and I’d be surprised if a few people don’t take offence to his rather colourful, industrial language."


What do we think? Much ado about nothing? Just Ronnie being Ronnie? Worthy of offence, or just worth ignoring?

[itsnoteasy]

With what feels like most matches being best of seven nowadays ,being four behind can be a bit of a hindrance.

[gavpowell]

Much like the UK championship? Last year's UK was fantastic, and I speak as someone who won't attend since they *******ised the format!

[itsnoteasy]

I know I'll get accused of trying to spoil his big moment, but sod it. He's had five of these big moments before.

Who saw Snooker Backer's claims about Ronnie's rape comments.

http://www.snookerbacker.com/

More specifically this bit;

"As for Ronnie, he came through against Stuart Bingham last night and then marched into his press conference, declaring just before it started that he had ‘the touch of a rapist’. I’m sure this was off the record but it’s been put out there and I’d be surprised if a few people don’t take offence to his rather colourful, industrial language."


What do we think? Much ado about nothing? Just Ronnie being Ronnie? Worthy of offence, or just worth ignoring?

If this was said off the record what the hell is he reporting it for, this is why you get banal answers to questions from the media, they can't be trusted . If that journalist grew up around " ****holes" ( his words not mine) in Liverpool and didn't hear worse than this he must have hearing problems. looks to me like he's Just out to cause trouble .

[gavpowell]

What do we think? Much ado about nothing? Just Ronnie being Ronnie? Worthy of offence, or just worth ignoring?

Much ado - as you say, off the record and merely a figure of speech. Ronnie's always been a bit crass, so let's not pretend to be surprised.

[barrywhite]

If this was said off the record what the hell is he reporting it for, this is why you get banal answers to questions from the media, they can't be trusted . If that journalist grew up around " ****holes" ( his words not mine) in Liverpool and didn't hear worse than this he must have hearing problems. looks to me like he's Just out to cause trouble .

This muppet snookerfan is well known on snooker island for Ronnie hate and general stirring, hence the referencing of snookerwacker. One to ignore I'm afraid. Have a look what they say over there and Ronnie looks like an angel compared to them.

[tetricky]

We use it all the time on a football pitch. We also shout "lesbian" if someone wimps out of a tackle, or makes a feeble throw in. In certain context it might be deemed offensive but, frankly, offence is in the ears of the beholder, and there's a lot of princesses who need to toughen up.