Who will win this years World Championship?

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First topic message reminder :

Who's your favourite for this years title ?

One of the seeds ? Or will it be a qualifier ?


We're down to the last 4, so let us know who you think will finally clinch it.

Superb century from Alli

Whats the record centuries, 83?

Cracking century from Ali. What does Maguire left in the tank?

They just showed it 83 centuries. Only 16 to go

cracking break from Carter. The blue where he got back down the table again in particular superb

Good shot. Unlucky.

half chance for Maguire, it's getting to the stage where he needs to take these.

come on maguire nothing to loose- go all out - go for the pot on green or brown

Dennis' father in law

Alli is playing beautifully

It's the magic grey shirt (maybe). But yeah, I've not seen him play this well in over a year.

Ali now in command and looking very assured and relaxed. If Stephen Maguire is on fire I don't even see the faintest hint of smoke.

TSC wrote:It's the magic grey shirt (maybe). But yeah, I've not seen him play this well in over a year.

But he is still going to have to play out of his skin if he is going to give O'Sullivan a hard match in the Final.

gboycottnut wrote:

TSC wrote:It's the magic grey shirt (maybe). But yeah, I've not seen him play this well in over a year.

But he is still going to have to play out of his skin if he is going to give O'Sullivan a hard match in the Final.

There he is, missed you gboycottnut

I dislike Carter's mannerisms and the way he minces round the table intensely but he is playing some decent snooker I'll give him that.

Maguire on the other hand is making his "Oh I don't care, woe is me" face.

He's not much of a trier, isn't Stephen Maguire.

As long as he has the grey shirt he has a chance. It must be a superstitious thing. Apparently, John Higgins always wears white socks to the Crucible.

Agree with Dennis. A must win frame for Stephen. It will be a bit of a boost as Ali had a big chance early doors.

Ali now has this match in a stranglehold.

he's name is Ali Carter, he cant have no more Dhali for his Starter

Game is more than likely up for Mags. Ali could probably win this tonight if he put his mind to it.

He ain't no martyr .... ITSS ALII CAAAAARTER!!

You see this is why Maguire never struck me as world champion material. He is simply NOT a big match player. In crunch matches that could define his career he has just failed to do himself justice which is just not a trait that world champions have.

Maguire having exactly the same problem he had yesterday: poor control of the cue ball, so he has to work much too hard for his breaks. Once again there, a straightforward pink and he completely messed up position on the next shot.

Carter is playing lovely stuff, his safety has mostly been spot on, and when he's had chances he's taken them.

Maguire's technique simply does not hold up in these longer frame matches. He will only ever be good in the bo11's imo. Simply a bad match up for him, he may be better at high breaks than Ali but everything else Ali is better at.

CaledonianCraig wrote:You see this is why Maguire never struck me as world champion material. He is simply NOT a big match player. In crunch matches that could define his career he has just failed to do himself justice which is just not a trait that world champions have.

me thinks he needs a couple of lines and a couple of beta blockers and he will equalize

Look who Maguire has had in his draw; Brecel who is just a kid. Joe Perry, hasnt been good for years = down the rankings. And Hendry, say no more.

Maguire had a lucky draw.

mystiroakey wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:You see this is why Maguire never struck me as world champion material. He is simply NOT a big match player. In crunch matches that could define his career he has just failed to do himself justice which is just not a trait that world champions have.

me thinks he needs a couple of lines and a couple of beta blockers and he will equalize

Like Neal Foulds?

hendry beat higgins, unless there was some money riding (cough cough)there is no real luck there,

to get to a semi you have to either beat big name players, or players that have beaten big name players- same difference

unless there was some money riding (cough cough)

Theres more evidence of Ronnie throwing matches than Higgins. (2006 UK Championship)

they just showed Ronnie's break in the final frame of this afternoon. Makes it look so easy, his control of the cue ball is superb so he's never out of position (contrast to Mags). Spoilt slightly by the commentators love-in, but still, a joy to watch

more eveidence??- higgins admitted it- what more proof to you need..

me thinks many have done it mind- they dont get paid enough and its life that they may have sold abot of there soul to the devil for a payday.


TSC its not just foulds, they were all at the betta blockers at one point.. especially right after the drink ban

Sick to death of the Higgins jokes about the betting thing.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Look who Maguire has had in his draw; Brecel who is just a kid. Joe Perry, hasnt been good for years = down the rankings. And Hendry, say no more.

Maguire had a lucky draw.

No I wouldn't agree with that. Besides he put in polished displays in those matches and looked in fine form up until this match. Rankings suggest otherwise as well as he is the highest ranked player left in the tournament so clearly has been the form player of the season. For whatever reason he goes into his shell on the big occasion whereas his opponent Ali Carter may not be as highly rated but these occasions bring out the best in him and it has showed. Disappointing stuff from Maguire to be honest but credit to Ali for playing such solid matchplay snooker.

I could only think of Foulds. I was reading an artice today about it in a newspaper. I'll see if I can dig it up.

eirebilly wrote:Sick to death of the Higgins jokes about the betting thing.

get yourself down the doctor- i dont wanna get done for manslaughter

Well done Leo

I think that its in poor taste that people still have a go at matches involving Higgins. Proven innocent and a worthy 4 time world champion.

Didn't Fouldsy's Dad or Uncle or something also take them. Might be imagining that bit but I'm sure he had a relative that was also a pro but there's nowt about it on t'internet. I thought his name might have been Martin or Alan maybe?

eirebilly wrote:I think that its in poor taste that people still have a go at matches involving Higgins. Proven innocent and a worthy 4 time world champion.

Agreed.

Billy I likewise don't want to cause you grief but I'm not entirely sure "Honest" John was proved innocent considering he received a fine and a ban.

Let's not ruin this fine thread with such stuff though. If anyone really wants to discuss it they can start a new one and take it from there.

This is going to be a long frame

Hibbz wrote:Billy I likewise don't want to cause you grief but I'm not entirely sure "Honest" John was proved innocent considering he received a fine and a ban.

The fine and ban was for bringing the sport into disrepute but NOT for match-fixing.

lovely escape from Carter, again...

eirebilly wrote:I think that its in poor taste that people still have a go at matches involving Higgins. Proven innocent and a worthy 4 time world champion.

Agree 100%. Regardless of whether he did it or not, he was proven innocent therefore is innocent in the eyes of the law.

Hibbz wrote:Billy I likewise don't want to cause you grief but I'm not entirely sure "Honest" John was proved innocent considering he received a fine and a ban.

Fair enough, that is a view i can respect, I just hate the fact that people question every match he loses with snide money comments.

Mags basically with a hit-and-hope there, and the luck isn't with him...

I love a long frame.

Should also give people plenty of time to come back to me with the question about the Fouldsies.

Poor taste to have a go at higgins, but to read an off the cuff joke and come up to your conculsion thats just ridiculas. Typical of you though. I dont hear you commenting on the amount of hate about ronnies past on here.

Jokes are fine, judging players on the past is something that i hate. You just pick and choose at will what you deem acceptable

Carter doesnt even look like missing does he. Superb from him

Not entirely though mystiroakey as Higgins was not found guilty of his charges whereas it is common knowledge Ronnie did what he did. Some people can and will forgive him for these misdoings others won't and can't. Lets just leave it at that.

The way this semis is going it could be over tonight.

Hann's ban is almost up.......