Ssb - selby's not so perfect ten

[Templeton Peck]

If that were true he would be third in the rankings.

[Looki]

There are only 2 reasons for Selby not being successful lately:

1. Ronnie O’Sullivan
2. John Higgins

There has been several other reason too, for example Graeme Dott (China) and Mark J. Williams (UK), but most of all his inconsistency in ranking tournaments. He is well over-rated player at the moment IMO and I'm surprised that he has achieved as much as he has (which is of course a good thing for him).

[Migtsf]

Ronnie stopped Selby from defending his Masters title, and from winning the Premier League. John Higgins stopped him from winning the World Championship.

Regardless of Mark's results in other events and his ranking, had he won these titles we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

[Templeton Peck]

Didn't John Higgins merely prevent Selby from progressing to the semi-finals of the world championship?

[spike]

Didn't John Higgins merely prevent Selby from progressing to the semi-finals of the world championship?

Yeah, and Selby played the match of his life and it wasn't for Higgins again he would've been in with a great shout of winning his first World Title..

[Migtsf]

Didn't John Higgins merely prevent Selby from progressing to the semi-finals of the world championship?

Indeed, but at the time I was under the impression that whoever won that quarter-final match would end up winning the next matches and become World Champion.

[cueman]

Great thread this, so glad it was made before the match and everything myself and Templeton said happened.

Doherty played poor yet still won, Selby had many opportunities but failed to score in one visit and his gamesmanship didn't work against Ken.

But some would have you believe that Selby makes more tons than anyone else so everything else doesn't matter.

[Mal]

If Hendry and Allen win the first matches, they will go above him provisionally, and if Ding and Wenbo get to QFs they will also overtake, so he could be 14th, but yet is 2nd favourite for the WC.

Obviously, he played very well to nearly beat John Higgins at WC - anyone remember his crazy plant he went for that lost the match? If that had gone in, well, we wouldn't be having this discussion (even if he hadn't gone on to win)

He hasn't been overly fortunate in the draws either as mentioned, such as playing a resurgent Doherty and Bingham is one of the tougher opponents, but if he wants to get back to being regarded as one of the 2 / 4 players he needs to win them.

He needs a good UK and last year he played well, but Mark Williams came through. His draw looks tough being potentially Cope or Doherty. So, testing times!

[Looki]

Obviously, he played very well to nearly beat John Higgins at WC - anyone remember his crazy plant he went for that lost the match? If that had gone in, well, we wouldn't be having this discussion (even if he hadn't gone on to win)

He hasn't been overly fortunate in the draws either as mentioned, such as playing a resurgent Doherty and Bingham is one of the tougher opponents, but if he wants to get back to being regarded as one of the 2 / 4 players he needs to win them.

The plant he went for in that match was the stupidest shot I've seen for a long time, it may be it a bit harshly said but that's what I think. So much for his great tactics.

The draws then.. If he really is was top 8 (let alone top 4) potential then the draws (no matter how tough it is) shouldn't prevent him from being there. His standard of play just isn't there atm. And it hasn't been there for a good year or so...

[gettingbetter]

There is no doubt that he is well capable of becoming a really good player, but thus far, he has failed to live up to expectations. I think I agree with most on here who think that he probably plays too smart than what he is capable of. In saying that though, he is one of the better safety players out there.

I don't know where to pin point it with Selby, the combination of his safety and break-building skills usually result in better ranking tournament success than what he is having. But as other users above have said, he sometimes plays stupid. Not only do I recall that plant that he had to make in the second last frame against Higgins, but he missed frame ball against Day at the Grand Prix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YazP2L0euXw

[Looki]

he missed frame ball against Day at the Grand Prix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YazP2L0euXw

That miss is unbelievable. Very sloppy from him. I remember watching that match, I was certain that it was the end for Day. Well, good clearance from Day, couple of pressure shots there. As we see at the he's quite pleased to win

[jonplayer]

There has been several other reason too, for example Graeme Dott (China) and Mark J. Williams (UK), but most of all his inconsistency in ranking tournaments. He is well over-rated player at the moment IMO and I'm surprised that he has achieved as much as he has (which is of course a good thing for him).

I agree, I always found the hype surrounding him a bit baffling. He is a very good player but I don't think he is top 4.

[steedee]

i'l be interested to see how long it itakes for an Ali Carter thread in the same vein. the boys done very little since winning the welsh.

[Templeton Peck]

Ali Carter will play crap from now on now he's a father. If I were a professional snooker player I wouldn't lose my virginity until I was 40.

[spike]

Ali Carter will play crap from now on now he's a father. If I were a professional snooker player I wouldn't lose my virginity until I was 40.

that's way too young..