Alex Higgins Syndrome.

[chasmmi]

I have noticed that we are now entering a three year period where it is possible that a player may contract what I would like to call Alex Higgins syndrome.

This is a condition where a player wins the world title and then muddles around for ten years doing nothing before deciding they feel like winning it again.

The candidates are:

Ken Doherty 2007
John Higgins 2008
Stephen Hendry 2009

Which do people feel is the most likely, and also as a sidenote note do you feel any of these players may go and break what I believe is Alex's record of longest period between title wins?

[RaNeN]

I would put my money on Doherty!

[chasmmi]

Although it would be ironic if John followed Alex's example.

[Cessy143]

I don't really agree that the 3 players you mention have muddled around for 8 years or so, but I certainly think they should have won more titles between them over this period.

Of the 3, I think Higgins is most likely to win the WC again. On his game, he is unstoppable and think it's only a matter of time before he produces it at the crucible again.

As the years go by, it becomes less likely that Hendry or Doherty will win it again, but stranger things have happened.

[Obligation]

I really think Doherty's got it in him to win it again!

2007 could be his year.

2012 Ebdon??

[liftfinger]

Their chances are getting slimmer with each year that passes. I agree that Higgins probably has another chance,but he won,t win the 3 or 4 world championships he should have done. Doherty's best chance was at last season's and I bet he's been kicking himself all summer. Hendry just doesn't do it for the entirety of a whole tournament anymore and although he's got more ranking event wins to come I'm sure I think another Worlds will elude him. I also think the young players will start to have their time in the coming years ie Murphy, Maguire. But one thing for sure is the boy Ding is improving so rapidly it's possible nobody else will get a look in.

[Robert602]

I'd say John's more likely to do it than either Doherty or Hendry. He's much younger than Hendry and in my opinion capable of much more than Doherty. It beggars belief that it's been more than 8 years since he won it, not even a final since 2001, and he's surely due another. Worrying that went out with barely a wimper in 2006 though after the season he had, maybe he just doesn't like the crucible?

Doherty will stick around longer than Hendry imo, even though they're roughly the same age, Ken's game and mentality suits a longer career. He's never dazzling but he's consistent and mentally tough, he could win another.

Hendry's only got 2 or 3 more decent shots at the title and I can't see him being favourite for it again. It's just difficult to see him beating an on-form Ronnie, Williams or Higgins, or Ding for that matter, over a long match at this stage in his career (though I hope I'm wrong). Maybe if the draw goes his way.

[Obligation]

How would people respond if I were to say that Doherty will be the 'Steve Davis' veteran of the future day?

[Robert602]

How would people respond if I were to say that Doherty will be the 'Steve Davis' veteran of the future day?

I'd agree. Doherty's just gone 37 and holds his highest ever ranking, and he's provisional number 1 to boot. While Davis' decline was obvious almost as soon as he hit 30, his tactical nous and experience have been enough to seem him stick around the top 16 for most of the last 20 years. Doherty has a similar type of game but if anything looks stronger now than he ever has.

This sounds like an opportunity to plug a chart from my upcoming site .

Comparitive ranking by age (age along the bottom):

[..KiD DyNaMiTe..]

My money's on Higgin or Doherty

[Obligation]

That's a nice display of data Robert

When will the site be up?

[Alex0paul]

I think without the qualifiers yet to be drawn into the World Championships this season I think Hendry has a much favourable draw.

Higgins though is probably the best bet though

[richardnobby]

I would have to go with Higgins, it does seem strange that his record is not better, but he is the more talented of the trio.

[Mitsuko]

I can't see it being Hendry, Higgins is probably the most probable. But I'm going to go with Doherty

[liftfinger]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe(on previous years seeding) that this is how the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 draw will look

01.DOTT v qualifier 1
16.HAMILTON v qualifier 2

09.MAGUIRE v qualifier 3
08.WILLIAMS v qualifier 4

05.HIGGINS v qualifier 5
12.HAWKINS v qualifier 6

13.ROBERTSON v qualifier 7
04.O'SULLIVAN v qualifier 8

------------------------------------

03.DOHERTY v qualifier 9
14.STEVENS v qualifier 10

11.DAVIS v qualifier 11
06.MURPHY v qualifier 12

07.EBDON v qualifier 13
10.LEE v qualifier 14

15.CARTER v qualifier 15
02.HENDRY v qualifier 16

As long as Ding is not qualifier 13,14,15 or 16 I think this could be Hendry's best chance for an 8th WORLD title for many years. Maybe his last chance.