World Championship discussion

[hegeland]

lol, I know... isn't Eirian the "worst" of the pro refs? Earlier this evening he respotted pink on the blue spot when black was totally free. Ian had to tell him before he discovered it.

Oh well, Dott has had his chances as Ian hasn't played well either.

C O M E - O N - I A N !

Edit: Dott shows what he's capable of - at last.

[Parrot]

Seems The Crucible Jinx will not be broken. Strange is it not? The majority thought here thought he could win it again, including myself. Well, I am actually devastated if he goes out.

The draw didnt do him any favours, his opponent is from the Mcmanus Ebdon league and likes the longer matches, he is a great match player. Dott needed a looser more attacking player like Judd Trump or Ryan Day who he could score well against but still beat in the safety play

[PaulTheSoave]

He is not a very good ref, looks uncertain. I have to admit that Mrs Tabb could referee the final. I have seen here live and I could not detect any faults.

[SteUK2006]

Parrott playing great, havent seem him play this well for years

[hegeland]

Yeah, Mrs. Tabb would be great. I trust your scrutiny. Or were you referring to snooker related faults?

Good break by Parrot to steal the frame, Steve is in big trouble here. Parrott is playing very well indeed.

Anyone else noticed how Dott has gone back to the way he played last year at the Crucible? This "new" game of his is conspicuous by its absence.

Dott looks quite after having rushed that easy shot and missed it.

[Wim]

1 - 4 to JP !! and he deserves it for the 100 %

[shrooden]

Anyone got any ideas how I can watch the tournament from Canada? It's killing me not being able to watch!!!

[Alex0paul]

I think Dott has struggled today because he is playing way too quick. A couple of times he has just got down and gave the balls a whack without really thinking about the shot. It has been highly dissapointing. Hoepfully he can put up a huge fight and sneak the last 4 frames. I really feel downhearted now.

[Alex0paul]

It also doesn't help when McCulloch keeps getting outrageous luck too.

[JoanneT63]

Is the Crucible Curse gonna strike again.....

[hegeland]

Ouch, that miscue was bad for Steve!

And Dott is missing too atm.

[Alex0paul]

Is that water or sweat on Dott's hair? If it is sweat I have never seen him sweat that much ever!

[Hendry the 8th]

So it looks like Dott is going to fall at the first hurdle, the last time a first time winner went out in the first round the following year was 1986 when Dennis Taylor lost 10-6 to Mike Hallett. Here's a list of how the first time champions have faired at The Crucible the following year: -

1980 Terry Griffiths 10-13 Dennis Taylor R2
1981 Cliff Thorburn 10-16 Steve Davis SF
1982 Steve Davis 1-10 Tony Knowles R1
1986 Dennis Taylor 6-10 Mike Hallett R1
1987 Joe Johnson 14-18 Steve Davis F
1991 Stephen Hendry 11-13 Steve James QF
1992 John Parrott 12-13 Alan McManus QF
1998 Ken Doherty 12-18 John Higgins F
1999 John Higgins 10-17 Mark Williams SF
2001 Mark Williams 12-13 Joe Swail R2
2002 Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-17 Stephen Hendry SF
2003 Peter Ebdon 12-13 Paul Hunter QF
2006 Shaun Murphy 7-13 Peter Ebdon QF

Dott could still pull off the great escape though.

[hegeland]

Very strange shot selection by McCulloch, why not choose blues as free ball? Both players are looking very nervous.

And JP is unstoppable tonight! Although he's been a bit fortuante too, he's not THAt much better.

[Alex0paul]

If Dott is going to do this he needs to either win the next frame comprehensively or really punish a McCulloch error.