The Endgame
With the snooker season drawing to a close, several players look vulnerable and could fall off the tour. The likes of Alan McManus, Rod Lawler, Dominic Dale, Anthony Hamilton, Robin Hull, Nigel Bond, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and Rory McLeod are all possible victims of snooker’s axe. Some in the sport are touting this moment as the start of a generation shift.
However, I personally believe that not all of these players will fall off the cliff. The likes of Hamilton and Doherty have proved their worth this season and Jimmy White is starting to make inroads into latter round matches. However with only a wildcard status, Doherty and White must do well in China and Sheffield to stop their table lights from going out permanently.
This is not some seismic moment as was in 1992 when the tour was flushed out with players such as Higgins, O’Sullivan and Williams joining it. I can categorically say this because there are still so many players above the age of 40 who are still doing well. Unlike in 1992, there are very few players nearing the end of their career, the standard of play remains high and fewer players are struggling to keep their heads above the water.
In my view, speculation is pointless until the event happens. Logically no player is effectively safe on the tour and must win matches and amass raking points to stay on it. The vulnerable could become the victors and the victors the vulnerable. Turn the clock back and you will see the likes of Ray Reardon winning a World Championship at the age of 46 and Fred Davis reaching a semi-final in his 70s. Longevity in snooker is now immeasurable and players could effectively go on for years but even a Duracell battery has a shelf life, just a question of when the snooker acid runs out.
However, I personally believe that not all of these players will fall off the cliff. The likes of Hamilton and Doherty have proved their worth this season and Jimmy White is starting to make inroads into latter round matches. However with only a wildcard status, Doherty and White must do well in China and Sheffield to stop their table lights from going out permanently.
This is not some seismic moment as was in 1992 when the tour was flushed out with players such as Higgins, O’Sullivan and Williams joining it. I can categorically say this because there are still so many players above the age of 40 who are still doing well. Unlike in 1992, there are very few players nearing the end of their career, the standard of play remains high and fewer players are struggling to keep their heads above the water.
In my view, speculation is pointless until the event happens. Logically no player is effectively safe on the tour and must win matches and amass raking points to stay on it. The vulnerable could become the victors and the victors the vulnerable. Turn the clock back and you will see the likes of Ray Reardon winning a World Championship at the age of 46 and Fred Davis reaching a semi-final in his 70s. Longevity in snooker is now immeasurable and players could effectively go on for years but even a Duracell battery has a shelf life, just a question of when the snooker acid runs out.
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