Ssb - wembley wildcard...the contenders

[MySockPuppet]

The qualifying event for the Masters takes place later this month where one of the two wildcards for the game's most prestigious invitation tournaments will be sewn up.

The second will presumably be handed out after the UK Championship.

Wildcards should reward success on the table and popularity.

With this in mind, here are the three favourites for this season's Wembley event:

1) Liang Wenbo
2) Liang Wenbo
3) Liang Wenbo

The 22 year-old Chinese reached the Shanghai Masters final this season, is into the provisional top 16 and would enhance the tournament's international flavour.

If he doesn't get the wildcard it will be the biggest surprise since Louis Walsh picked those annoying Irish twins.

But who else could be in with a shout?

Well, Joe Swail reached the Welsh Open final.

Ken Doherty has enjoyed a resurgence this season.

Jamie Cope and Judd Trump would bring a younger feel to proceedings.

But surely Liang is going to get the call, unless there is a major shock at the UK Championship.


More...

[superaussie]

i agree wenbo should get it

When does the main draw for the masters come out ?

[Odrl]

Yes, unless someone unexpected reaches at least the SF of the UK Championship, Liang has it in the bag.

The only other contender at the moment for me is Ricky Walden, who is also provisionally in the 16.

[Templeton Peck]

I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Davis got it since he's hovering just outside of the top 16. The fact remains that Davis can draw a crowd whereas Wenbo can't yet and that should be the deciding factor really for an invitational event. The Wembley arena would look awful if no-one turned up and at least you would get a decent turnout for Davis.

[Forman]

I think theres only two ways wenbo could miss out on the wildcard spot:

1. someone like trump or cope wins the UK champs or

2. The wpbsa decide to surprise everyone by ignoring the obvious choice and instead choose someone that leaves everyone thinking "were they high when they made that decision?"

It could happen, just look at some of the main tour wildcard choices this season

[Forman]

I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Davis got it since he's hovering just outside of the top 16. The fact remains that Davis can draw a crowd whereas Wenbo can't yet and that should be the deciding factor really for an invitational event. The Wembley arena would look awful if no-one turned up and at least you would get a decent turnout for Davis.

Even though im a big fan I would be really dissapointed if Davis got the wildcard spot, like you said he would definitly draw a bigger crowd than wenbo but if you keep giving oppertunitys like this to the big names of old then you are just perpetuating the problem, i think wildcards should be used to give young up and comming players that are going the be the games assets in the future a chance to show their stuff rather than to simply fill the arena for one match.

[Monique]

I think theres only two ways wenbo could miss out on the wildcard spot:

1. someone like trump or cope wins the UK champs or

2. The wpbsa decide to surprise everyone by ignoring the obvious choice and instead choose someone that leaves everyone thinking "were they high when they made that decision?"

It could happen, just look at some of the main tour wildcard choices this season

I think there is actually a not so unlikely third possibility: Liang wins the qualifying event. So who would you favour then?
I must say it's a big for me. Maybe WPBSA could raise some money in order to cover part of the Masters expenses by running a raffle between the players :snooker: Isn't THAT exciting?

[superaussie]

I think there is actually a not so unlikely third possibility: Liang wins the qualifying event. So who would you favour then?
I must say it's a big for me. Maybe WPBSA could raise some money in order to cover part of the Masters expenses by running a raffle between the players :snooker: Isn't THAT exciting?

wenbo hasnt entered qualifying

[Monique]

wenbo hasnt entered qualifying

Well I haven't checked I must say and I find that very surprising. Would it be possible that he has got some assurance he will be invited? Or is he not interested? Either way... really I find this surprising.

[Templeton Peck]

Even though im a big fan I would be really dissapointed if Davis got the wildcard spot, like you said he would definitly draw a bigger crowd than wenbo but if you keep giving oppertunitys like this to the big names of old then you are just perpetuating the problem, i think wildcards should be used to give young up and comming players that are going the be the games assets in the future a chance to show their stuff rather than to simply fill the arena for one match.

If Wenbo keeps up his standard he will be there anyway next year by default. The Masters is an event for players that have proven record. Davis isn't the player he once was but after Ronnie and Jimmy he's probably still the biggest star attraction in the game. There are plenty of great players in the top 16 and adding another hotshot to the lineup doesn't actually make much difference. What snooker needs is star attractions, and if you are looking for that outside of the top 16 then you don't need to look any further than Jimmy and Davis. Sometimes circumstances can change the formula - like Walden winning the Shanghai last year - because all current champions should be there by my reckoning, but I don't really see what adding Wenbo to the mix would bring to the event. Make him earn it.

[kellie-text]

I agree - i'm very suprised he hasnt entered qualifying, especially as its in his "hometown" and good match practice if nothing else.

He would be my choice for the wildcard though, unless we get a shock winner of the UK.

[tcollick]

I'd love to see SD in it as we don't see that much of him playing anymore, especially as he isn't in the premier league this season.
But can't really see anyone but Wenbo getting it...got to be a given...provisionally top 16, justifiably a popular character and the not so small point of 100 million Chinese TV viewers (TV rights,etc,etc).

[steedee]

wenbo or waldo that is the question!

Both look set for a top 16 berth next year. either are more than capable of performing at wembley too.

if your gonna invite davis on the basis of popularity you may as well invite hurricane higgins instead, wouldnt that draw in the crowds!

pesonally i think the wsba should stick to their guns, give the wildcard to David Gray and insist he sticks to form and plays the whole tournament in his underpants.

[Migtsf]

Even if Steve Davis was invited to be in next year’s Masters, I don’t think he would accept it. Last time I saw him play at the World Championship I thought he was pretty awful. Playing like that, I don’t think he wants to be competing in the Masters. He doesn’t even want to be in the Premier League and I’m sure he would have been there if he wanted to, but I don’t think he feels comfortable anymore using his status as a snooker legend when he doesn’t have the game to back it up anymore. Last time he was at the Premier League he said he wanted to earn his place there next year, so I guess he must feel the same way about the Masters.

[Templeton Peck]

You get £10k just for turning up to the Masters! Trust me, if he got the invite he'd take it.