by JDM375 » 08 May 2014 Read
I must admit I do quite like Judd, know he isn't the most popular don't blame people for not liking him as I do agree he is a tad arrogant and times but he's a young lad enjoying life. Might be advised by his management not be too brash at times. I do cringe at some of his comments.
I just find Judd a bit frustrating to watch, he has a decent long game, brilliant cue power and a decent century rate and he has improved his safety considerably (OK not at a Selby, Higgins level yet) but it is much better than it was.
Shot selection is where I would like Judd to work on next, countless times he can pot a brilliant red but than hammers the medium length colour down the green pocket for example and then misses it and leaves his opponent in, some times players with great cuepower can over depend on it. They look great when the go in, but when they miss it is frame over every 9 times out of 10.
His cueball control does let him down at times, he does pull of some great recovery shots though but around the black area, you feel that a Ding or ROS will be far more likely to get over the line compared to Judd, despite his century stats.
His game is in a much better place than it was 6-12 months ago, but it isn't anywhere near his 2011 form yet.
He's only in his mid-20s so he still has some years left in him and he can work on his weak areas, which to be fair he has appeared to start to. Will it help him get back to winning, I don't know (it should with his ability) but I expect far better results next season.
Would Judd have won more if he won in 2011 WC, possibly but he wasn't ready as judged by the Monday of that final, but like people have said he has suffered three disappointing losses, mind you not much he could have done v Robbo, had a bad roll at 11-10 and the missed black at 11-12 you could argue but Neil wasn't missing and played excellent safety.
He has the game to win it, but many in the past have and didn't get the title. Some times players run it great opponents, sometimes they get the nerves and sometimes they are not suited the the venue, I don't think Judd has a issue with he latter, he seems to thrive in Sheffield.