UK Championship 2012 - 1st round discussion

[montoya10]

And a 131 to regain the lead..

[coomsey76]

Nice century from Fu to 3-1 going into the mid-session interval......

[PatBlock]

Jack needs to calm down a bit, Bingham's giving him chances but if he keeps playing like that he'll be out pretty quickly.

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[Odrl]

Well done you then!

No in all seriousness its very difficult at the top now in snooker, gone are the days of the 90's and even for periods during the 2000's whereby you could ease your way into a tournament. Players like Joyce are extremely dangerous opponents now, they are match sharp because of all the tournaments, they have nothing to lose either as the underdog. No player will go through a season of complete domination because of the quality of players around, you simply cannot play well all the time.

What Trump will now have to learn or adapt to is trying to save himself for tournaments like the UK and WC's. He has been in good form for about 2 months with tournament after tournament and it was noticable last week in the PL semi and final that he was starting to look very jaded. He simply needs a good 2-3 weeks break from playing and come back refreshed for the 2nd half of the season. He should now put all his efforts into getting ready for the crucible because it will be here in no time. I certainly wouldn't write off a couple of bad weeks which is all its been in a 10 month season.

Yeah, it's very difficult to put a couple of good runs together. The 1st rounds are always tricky, because your opponent will very likely be on form, having just got through the qualifiers. And Joyce is about as easy as it gets, even though he is a former UK quarter-finalist himself (beat Trump along the way), and you could potentially draw someone like Marco Fu or Martin Gould. So if a qualifier plays well against you, there is no opportunity to play yourself into the tournament, you have to show some form or you're on your way out. And specifically in Trump's case, he is considered the favourite at this point, so he can't really "win" in the 1st round, he can only lose. On the other hand, if you're on a run of poor form, like Selby for example, you get a bit of peace while the likes of Trump are still in the tournament.

No one really goes through a season without losing early a couple of times it seems, although Higgins and O'Sullivan came pretty close in some of the past seasons, but they've built a psychological edge over most players throughout their careers, not to mention their vast experience and their ability to win with their B-game. I don't think Trump is quite there yet... But looking back at how the Robertson/Murphy/Maguire/Selby generation played at the age Trump is now, they were just starting to enjoy some success, not establishing themselves as the leading player, like Trump is now. And it won't hurt that Trump enjoys a good record against most players who are likely to challenge him for future titles either.

Anyway, over the last couple of years I've looked with great interest at how players who have good runs in the UK then play in the Masters. Since the tournaments are next to each other on the calendar, a great majority of UK finalists go out in the 1st round. Not just early, but specifically in the 1st round, which just shows you how quickly things turn around, and I suppose how much difference sheer "hunger" and motivation makes sometimes, when players try to make up for playing poorly in the previous tournaments, while others put their foot off the gas after a success. :smile:

[daffie]

Jack needs to calm down a bit, Bingham's giving him chances but if he keeps playing like that he'll be out pretty quickly.

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No real surprise then jack and trump were roommates for a while

[narl]

Not much going the rosey cheeked culchie's way.

[daffie]

May I just reiterate how much I would like to see Fu kick Allen's whiny little behind Go Marco!

Edit : removed sorta off-topic stuff.

[daffie]

Great frame for Marco to pinch...5-1 up. Just one more...

[PatBlock]

No real surprise then jack and trump were roommates for a while

And they practice together as well, seems to be working the wrong way round.

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[daffie]

Hmm 5-3...Marco best watch it cause Allen likes coming from behind.

[PatBlock]

May I just reiterate how much I would like to see Fu kick Allen's whiny little behind Go Marco!

Edit : removed sorta off-topic stuff.

You know what's going to happen now that you've hatched that thought don't you. You should have kept your powder dry.

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[daffie]

You know what's going to happen now that you've hatched that thought don't you. You should have kept your powder dry.

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If I'm honest I'd have to say that seeing Allen come back to 5-3 did make my elbow itch just somewhat But nah...no problem for Marco whatsoever...smooth as a baby's bottom. Talking about bottoms...Allen's behind just got a kicking Good job Marco!

A nice one to finish off the day with...it's sweet dreams for me (and Marco as well, I'm sure) tonight...see you all tomorrow.

Edit : how about the towel thrown back in Allen's face hahaha...that's the way to do it...good on ya Marco.

[PatBlock]

Well played Marco, Allen should have let him finish his break instead of all that towel throwing nonsense.

Another good snookery day. Night all.

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[Rane]

Both finalists from last year already out, quite a sunday. Marco Fu looked sharp.

[coomsey76]

Great stuff from Marco Fu to beat Mark Allen.......

Marco looks like he is in great form!!