Welsh Open

[valain]

That was a poor match from Ronnie, I'd worry a wee bit about him after that.

[camroc]

That was a poor match from Ronnie, I'd worry a wee bit about him after that.

I wouldn't worry too much. Ye was poor alright but I'd worry for him more when he gives up halfway through a frame or does mad things. He's not at his best these days (but then again he'll never play as well as he did when he was at his best about ten years ago when he knocked in the 147 in 5 mins 20) but is trying his best and will win his fair share of tournaments over the next few years even if he plays at this standard and he'll probably improve anyway.

[valain]

I wouldn't worry too much. Ye was poor alright but I'd worry for him more when he gives up halfway through a frame or does mad things. He's not at his best these days (but then again he'll never play as well as he did when he was at his best about ten years ago when he knocked in the 147 in 5 mins 20) but is trying his best and will win his fair share of tournaments over the next few years even if he plays at this standard and he'll probably improve anyway.

Ah it seems he still has zero passion for it and that's not good, losing doesn't seem to bother him and his long pot success rate is poor, I just think he goes through the motions on the table and unless he can go at his pace he's uninterested, I really hope he just puts in his best at the crucible.

[camroc]

He does look disinterested at time but then again he always did. As for wanting to play at his own pace I think he's improved remarkably in this respect and his safety game is much better. I think he actually enjoys winning a safety battle now and rarely plays a rash shot because he's bored with a safety exchange. His long-term commitment to the game recently is greater than ever and he's stopped all the talk of quitting (to a large degree). His talk of feeling like he's going to lose every game and that he's useless is annoying but I think it's his way of trying to lower expectations and take the pressure off himself. He's a man with deep mental issues and that makes him more endearing that some of the robots like Hendry and Davis (in their prime - they've both lightened up a bit since).

[valain]

I certainly agree that he seems better equipt in the safety exchanges and he does enjoy getting the better of them. As far as not going on about 'quitting', I think it brought him more attention, of which he wants none. I'd be almost certain that if Ronnie could quit he would. I think if Barry Hearn doesnt bring a substantial change we will see the ronnie of 3-4 years ago. I agree that there are too many robots on the circuit and not enough characters but there's not much you can do about that, snooker is a fairly recluse sport.
Really what I'm saying is that Ronnie doesn't care if he wins or loses, it doesn't bother him and for any sports man that is worrying.

[camroc]

Yeah, I take your point. I'm just not sure how little he actually cares. He says he doesn't matter as long as he feel he's played well but I'm not so sure. He's probably a more gracious loser than before and that may look like he doesn't care but I reckon a lot is him putting on a brave face. He sufferes terribly from depression and self doubt so it's hard to say what goes through him mind really. One thing is for sure though - even Barry Hearn couldn't promote snooker successfully without Ronnie in the game.

[valain]

Yeah obviously his mental instability is his only vice, if he had the mentality of Hendry or Higgins, he'd do what Fed has done in Tennis and Tiger in Golf.
If snooker lost Ronnie it would be unthinkable, probably completely destroy the game, the so called new character such as Selby just don't do it for me. I wreckon they should make sure Tony Drago plays every tournament, Peter Ebdon plays none and Quentin Hann comes back

[camroc]

exactly. Selby and Allen are ok but it always looked like they're kind of trying too much if you know what I mean. When on top form Ronnie makes the game look easy and instead of applauding some of his shots a lot of the time all I can do is laugh as he makes difficult shots look rediculously easy. Just hope he sorts his head out as the game needs him more than golf needs Tiger and more than tennis needs R Fed or any sport ever needed someone (even Taylor in darts). Hopefully the Barry Hearne influence will be positive. I know the Welsh Open isn't the biggest tournament but £2,000 for the highest break is quite embarassing when compared to the prizes available in darts nevermind golf and tennis and sports like that.

[valain]

I could never put my finger on it but thats exactly it, Selby tries too hard to be amusing or interesting and it just doesnt happen.
Ah sure listen the prize money conversation is a whole different story its a joke, for such a highly skilled and intellectual game. If i owned a big corp (say Donald Trump size) every tournament would be worth upwards of a quarter of a mill to the winner, and a 147 would grant a similar reward.
I also think that a six nations sort of competition for snooker would be quality, a proper competition now with each country playing home and away, it would benefit the players too, a chance to play properly as part of a team, take alot of pressure off them and the games would be alot more exciting.

[camroc]

Yeah the nations cuo that they used to have wasn't great but could be much better now as the game is much more international and it would be great for TV. The prize money relative to the skill and practise is shocking when compared to almost every other sport but I suppose prize money has to depend on demand from the public and sponsors and unlike darts you can't pack thousands of people into a venue.