Phil Yates on the 32 Contenders

[Alex0paul]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle1677033.ece

[PaulTheSoave]

I like it. Very nice description of the 32 contenders. I always have rated Phil Yates as a connaisseur of the sport.

And Phil confirms my opinion about Stevens!

"Apart from Jimmy White, Stevens is the most obvious World Championship nearly man of recent times. He has lost two finals, both narrowly, and three semi-finals"

[Cyril]

Not very nice to the Legend, Steve Davis, though.

Past it ???

[missneworleans]

Yes, it was interesting description, I found a lot interesting about players.
Yeates displayed all them in funny, pleasant to read way

[PaulTheSoave]

I wonder wheter he got some inside info, Davis letting Parrot win.

Well, in terms of winning tournaments he has been past it for quite some time. His last ranking win was in 1995, The Welsh open. Though I encountered a mystery in Steve Davis winnings. On GSC it says he has won the China international in 1998 and on wikipedia it is confirmed he won 7-4 against Jimmy White. In Statmans archive there is no mention of this win as are on other snooker sites where the China international / Open starts from 1999

Not very nice to the Legend, Steve Davis, though.

Past it ???

[Miss_S]

I know I'm biased,but I think the description of Matthew was a bit negative.
He's dropped dow n the rankings and has lost two WC finals,and that's all he can say about him?
I liked the rest of the descriptions though.

[elvaago]

Stevens had been badly affected by Paul Hunter's death. Dropping out of the top 16 may be good for him. He'll be out of the limelight for a year so he can focus on getting his head back together.

Professionally, though, he is just too nice of a guy. He lacks the killer instrinct that is required to win the big tournaments with any regularity. For someone who is said to have so much talent and skill, it's extremely disappointing to have only won one or two tournaments.

White can only be named a nearly man at the Crucible. He's beaten everyone everywhere, including the likes of Davis and Hendry and he is by many considered to be one of the top 5 best players ever to have picked up a cue. But it'll always remain a 'What could've been...' with this chap.