The Masters Jan 11 - 18, 2015

[Wild]

Anyway, two WSC titles and one final in three years is an extraordinary result in this strong rivalry snooker era.

[lironlad]

Indeed. At his best , by far is the best...
Just look at the players list that Ronnie beat at WC 2012..
first round - Ebdon - 1 WC, 1 UK (3 WC finals)
second round - Mark Williams (2 times WC , 3 WC finals) 2UK 2 MASTERS
quarters - Neil Robertson (1 WC) 1 UK 1 MASTERS
semis - Matthew (WC twice finalist) 1 UK 1 MASTERS
final - Carter - 2 WC finals
Stephen had an open ticket to the final every time and even the great Steve Davis admits the luck of competition they had...( he and Stephen)...

[two-cues]

Don't understand people laying into him after one bad performance when he's won the UK and champion of champions in quick succession.

Agreed. He hasn't suddenly lost it and will of course bounce back.

As far as the BBC is concerned he's the player that gives them the most bang for their buck, he's easily the games biggest draw because he's probably the best player in the game at the moment - Robertson (imo) was always the only player that might get that sort of result against him, when NR is hot it looks like he isn't going to miss and that proved to be the case - add in a well below par RoS and the result was a formality, who would have thought RoS would miss a black off the spot to seal a frame? certainly not me and I bet NR didn't expect him to miss it either.

Would love to see Murphy win it but can't see past Robertson now.

[Wild]

That's the bbcs doing, of no fault of Ronnie's. Don't understand people laying into him after one bad performance when he's won the UK and champion of champions in quick succession.

I hope he forget this painful defeat and reach his top game soon. No one can win everything.

[jono*]

That's the bbcs doing, of no fault of Ronnie's. Don't understand people laying into him after one bad performance when he's won the UK and champion of champions in quick succession.

[P.Smith]

The pro-Ronnie bias on the BBC can be a bit much sometimes. During his semi-final yesterday Neil had absolutely dominated him the 1st 3 frames, Ronnie comes up with 1 frame winning break to go 3-1 and the commentators just wouldn't stop fawning over Ronnie! He got outplayed throughout that whole match.

[Alba_]

All this talk of Osullivan will only be the best player when he wins more world titles is just ridiculous. He has won 5 against a field of players that are far better, far more talented and professional than players ever were. Hendry won 4 titles against a player who got hammered prior and in between the world final stages. Osullivan still outlays most, and Hendry has openly said no one plays the game like Osullivan does. I'm no out and out Osullivan fan, I think he is incredible at the game, I'm a snooker fan and I've never seen a better player.

Hendry has won more at the age of 27 than Ronnie has his full career. Yeah snooker has got to a better standard but there was good players back then too. I just don't buy into the hype. Because the BBC keeps telling us how great Ronnie is and he is the best player ever it does not make it true. The more they tell me the less i think of him. The one they keep peddling that grinds my gears is "he has dominated the game" What a load of old crap that is. Up until his last world championship he had won exactly the same as Higgins on major tournaments and worlds but it's all Ronnie Ronnie Ronnie dominating when it's a lie and Ronnie had never beat Higgins in a ranking tournament for years but it's all Ronnie Ronnie. It's a joke and people just repeat what the telly tells them. He is a great player but I don't buy into all the crap.

[robertmac]

Yes Murphy has brought his game up considerably
and he has played very well. Robertson has also
been potting everything in sight as well at times.
Two very offensive minded players here who both
have the confidence to take on many aggressive
shots. It should be a great match.

[Odrl]

I got my wish then, a nice pairing in the final. :smile:

Murphy really did play well tonight, he hardly missed a ball in the last five frames, even though he was going for everything. He had only reached one major quarter-final all season prior to this week, but he has finally brought his best game to a major event here. I reckon he played even better than Robertson today, but as always, tomorrow is a new day. :wink:

[I just want a ton!]

All this talk of Osullivan will only be the best player when he wins more world titles is just ridiculous. He has won 5 against a field of players that are far better, far more talented and professional than players ever were. Hendry won 4 titles against a player who got hammered prior and in between the world final stages. Osullivan still outlays most, and Hendry has openly said no one plays the game like Osullivan does. I'm no out and out Osullivan fan, I think he is incredible at the game, I'm a snooker fan and I've never seen a better player.

[Byrom]

My money was on a Mark Allen Robertson final - but Allen seemed to loose his way against Perry and never really regained the kind of confidence he showed against Higgins early on.

I think this match is a close affair - both players have improved their respective games dramatically in various departments - Robertson usually gets the better of Murphy from what I have seen but Murphy been working very hard on his game and he owes him one - This one is a match for the snooker purists both have excellent cue actions and technique and both great ambassadors for the game of snooker taking part in almost everything on the snooker calender- looking forward to this final. Hope it does not disappoint

[brusque]

brusque - let me know who you are betting on and I'll do the opposite :biggrin:
I'm not a betting man but maybe I'll put a fiver on this one :wink:

I recovered my 200 kr loss on Mark Allen already .... n snooker now gives ridculous odds .. its a lose lose situation .... if u wanna bet try other sports ... i am in profit today because of betting on Squash but if u want a free tip ... Robbo will win it .... u heard it hear first

[DeanH]

The Masters Jan 11 - 18, 2015

brusque - let me know who you are betting on and I'll do the opposite :biggrin:
I'm not a betting man but maybe I'll put a fiver on this one :wink:

[brusque]

After 2 very one sided whippings ... I want the final to be a cracker and at least a contest ... I like Shaun more than Robbo but I have to say Robbo is the favorite because he is a much more complete player than Shaun who always finds a way to lose. Very disappointing to see what Allen and RoS had to offer against quality snooker .... both were terrible in response

[Hal]

Really good performance from Shaun, he did not let Mark play much .... Looking for tomorrow, hopefully great match as well. I like Neil, but want Shaun to win this time.