Who will do well on the Tour this year ?

[GreenBaize]

My fav's to perform well this season are Matthew Stevens , Shaun Murphy , Neil Robertson , Stephen Maguire .

And I can't wait to see how Judd Trump does I hope he gets on TV a few times this year...

[cueman]

I think its good that a lot of new faces are starting to make a mark in the game. Personally I hope Paul Hunter can come back and perform and hopefully win a few events but it will take time after his illness to regain his form.

I expect Murphy and Maguire to battle it out for most of the events over the coming years but perhaps not for a season or two yet. I fancy O'Sullivan will be the man to beat again this season unless he decides to swap snooker for 9 ball pool!

It will probably be the most open season ever though as so many players are capable of winning events. I doubt Judd Trump will do much in his first season, he is only 16 and lacking big match experience and who knows how he will perform under the TV cameras and the pressure of a large audience.

[Sonny]

I'd like to see Williams stamp his authority once again. Hopefully he's not enjoying being a lower ranked player and will get the hunger back.

I expect Murphy, Ding and Maguire to feature prominently in most events and maybe Robertson and Stevens as well. I also predict Hendry to reach 2 finals. I think Ronnie will win 3 events.

[chrisdebag]

i hope matthew will finally win the worlds and i expect mcguire to challenge for finals again

ronnie will have a good one if he keeps his head on right

[Nat5guns]

I saw Williams play little Sam Cragie at pontins the other week, and to be honest Williams played TERRIBLE. Sam Cragie is only 12 or 13, and he managed to get a frame off Mark, but Sam is still a good player I fancy Jamie Cope upsetting a few professionals this season, hes already through to the televised stages of the Grand Prix, so lets just watch this space.

[Sonny]

hmmm that doesn't sound too good.

I forgot one name, that of Gary Wilson. Hopefully he will get on the tv soon because he is a very entertaining player to watch, and potential top 16 material.

[cueman]

I saw Williams play little Sam Cragie at pontins the other week, and to be honest Williams played TERRIBLE. Sam Cragie is only 12 or 13, and he managed to get a frame off Mark, but Sam is still a good player I fancy Jamie Cope upsetting a few professionals this season, hes already through to the televised stages of the Grand Prix, so lets just watch this space.

I wouldn't take Williams performance in that event too seriously, I'm sure Williams was probably giving the kid a chance. It was only a Pontins open event, nothing serious and I'm sure Williams only went along for the crack and when the season starts proper he will get down to serious practice.

My mate was at Pontins yesterday and today and said that Cope looked very good but was most impressed with Mark Allen. Judd Trump lost and didn't really perform to the level needed, his safety is really lacking and unless he sorts that side of the game out he will struggle to get results.

[solly]

williams, trump and murphy

We must remember that Judd Trump is 16 and probably is a bit impatient and just wants to pot everything, I know I did at his age, a bit more experience and I think he will shine.

Does anyone remember the interview with Mark Williams when he went for the outrageous black off the spot from the 'D' and missed it. He said afterwards with very colourful language that he didn't give a f**k if he missed it and it was the wrong shot, he was playing it so who gives a f**k.
He has also become a dad for the first time and it changes your outlook on life. Snooker is not the most important thing in his life anymore.

I think Murphy is another Griffiths, win it once, perhaps a couple of other majors along the way, but thats about it

[solly]

williams, trump and murphy

We must remember that Judd Trump is 16 and probably is a bit impatient and just wants to pot everything, I know I did at his age, a bit more experience and I think he will shine.

Does anyone remember the interview with Mark Williams when he went for the outrageous black off the spot from the 'D' and missed it. He said afterwards with very colourful language that he didn't give a f**k if he missed it and it was the wrong shot, he was playing it so who gives a f**k.
He has also become a dad for the first time and it changes your outlook on life. Snooker is not the most important thing in his life anymore.

I think Murphy is another Griffiths, win it once, perhaps a couple of other majors along the way, but thats about it

[Sonny]

I think you under-estimate Mr Murphy - I'm sure he'll win more tournaments than Griffiths because he has bags more confidence in his ability (Griffiths developed demons over Steve Davis).

I remember Williams saying something along those lines in response to some commentator or other saying he played the wrong shot on a re-spot black to go for and he had a point, it's his game and he can play it how he wants. After all, he is a double world champion and you can't argue with that.

[solly]

murphy/griffiths/williams

time will tell with shaun. lets see.
did you watch griffiths win the 1979 world title, he was fantastic. If a long red poked its head out he knocked it in and cleared up he was brilliant. he actually slowed his play down because he was afraid to miss, he said that in an interview once and he couldn,t see a way back. A bit like Ebdon the tortoise.

my point about Mark Williams is his whole attitude. I am questioning his comments after the match which suggest I dont really care attitude, I think if he had Hendry's attitude he would be unstoppable. we are aloud to disagree with these guys

[Sonny]

hmm, this thread appears to locked in a time loop

[Sonny]

hooray, that post unlocked page 2

[Sonny]

But Mark Williams has always had the "I don't care" attitude, that's why he was so entertaining when he was winning all the time. He gave off the vibe that it was no big deal if he missed which is why he talked himself into taking on so many risky shots and getting a high percentage of them because he's such a good potter. I think he really did care, and maybe starting to care put pressure on him which otherwise he didn't feel (if that makes sense).

Regarding the whole trying to chip in the black from the spot in a re-spot scenario - I'd heard that he practised that shot a lot and got a high percentage of them, in which case he was as correct in going for them in a match in the same way Ronnie is justified in playing left handed. The only problem is that a re-spot black is so rare and therefore it would take a few seasons to have enough goes at the shot to get a percentage of them which justifies going for them.

[solly]

but is going for a black like that worth losing the match on. but williams also thinks if I get it its a match winner.I dont think its a pressure thing with Mark.I agree with most of what you say its just that I feel that he hasn't been the same player since he became a dad. The same happened to Hendry and Higgins to name a couple.

You know that snooker isnt the most important thing anymore.