Community » Hattrick Press

Marlpit's cue action for R5

Written by Rob-Luc

Marlpit Mercenaries' manager, EdenRob has taken time out to chat ahead of their fixture against the current Champions of England, Super Frankie's XI....

You've become the lowest ranked manager left in the Cup this week thanks to an inspired, if edgy win over II.3 side EatMyGoal (608524913). You were at a disadvantage in midfield (48-45%) but scored two SE goals after deciding to play creative, helping you nick the win 4-3. You must be delighted, reaching R5 for the third time in your club's history?

Delighted? yes, surprised? yes. The midfield disadvantage I thought would be our undoing and I chose 'creative' simply because I had no other viable options. It's always going to be an uphill struggle against higher ranked teams so it's always worth taking a gamble or two this far into the competition.

Our google research team tells us that you are quite an accomplished snooker player, and that you captain a team in Surrey. Please tell us a bit about how this happened, and how many hours per week you spend around the green baize?

I'm not sure that I would call myself accomplished, but I certainly enjoy the game, and just as in Hattrick I love the competitive nature of it. I've been playing snooker for more years than I care to remember but it is only after moving out of London to the Surrey/Kent border area that I played league snooker, firstly for my local club, then for the last three years at Westerham RBL. I guess I've been made captain because I'm the one who is prepared to organise the car rota for away matches, polish the balls, iron the table, record the stats...you get idea. Time and wife permitting, I spend about 10-12 hours a week at one club or another.

You acquired your team in July 2010. How did you discover hattrick, and if you had a team before and lost it, what brought you back?

I didn't discover Hattrick myself, but was introduced to it by a friend who still logs in but doesn't have a lot of time to spend on it. I think he has built a substantial war chest of nearly £20m which he is only just recently starting to spend.

Your manager page tells us that you are a Fulham supporter. Fulham finished 6th in the Championship last season, but lost to Reading in the playoffs. What do you think of the job Jokanović has done as manager, and who for you have been the star players this season?

Jokanovic has been the saviour of Fulham after the disaster of Magath and has brought a brand of attacking possession football that the fans love. Fulham fans are strongly of the belief that he can take us up next time.
The strength of the team this season is 'the team' and I would find it hard to name anyone who hadn't pull their weight. If I'm pushed then Tom Cairney (https://cdn.footballleagueworld.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/cairney22.jpg) is obviously a level better than the Championship. Stefan Johansen and Kevin McDonald have also been key players in midfield. One for the future is Ryan Sessegnon who is way too good for his age. (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/03/13/11/3E2B6EB900000578-4308620-image-a-72_1489405471786.jpg)

You've had a good start to life in V.130 after finishing 2nd in V.7 last season, and in the top 4 for 5 of 6 seasons in V.175 before that. Did you swap series to try to improve your chances for promotion, or just for the banter?

My time in V.175 was very active on the forum as two of the other managers liked to talk as much as me and I still chat with them on occasion, Moving to V.7 was a tactical move to gain promotion so I was very disappointed to fail that test which prompted another move, more for the banter again. I did a lot of searching through other series to see who the noisy ones were and I'm very pleased to have picked V.130 where there is another FFC fan and a Blades fan.

When Dennis Taylor beat Steve Davis to win the World Championship over 30 years ago he was watched by 18.5m viewers. 210m viewers in China alone watched the 2016 final, and 400m were estimated to have watched last years. What has caused this massive increased interest in the sport do you think, and have you ever considered going pro, or alternatively just buying a season ticket at the Crucible?

Three interesting questions here! In reverse order; the only time I've seen pros close up was many years ago at my club in South London for an exhibition night. John Spencer was the booking but he brought teenagers Jimmy White and Tony Meo with him.

I keep promising myself a trip to a pro event but it's not happened yet. I was never good enough to consider going pro myself but scratching around in the local league is great fun especially as we have had back to back promotions to the top division.

As to why snooker has again become popular, who can tell? The Chinese suddenly discovered it and is massive there now. That has sparked a revival here in UK and it is being played more across Europe as well.

Have you a favourite building or architectural design?

Wow! where do I start?
(http://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/images/blog_images/shard.jpg)
Millau bridge France (http://www.ila-chateau.com/caze/Millau-Bridge.jpg)

Ancient- Stonehenge, Pont du Gard, (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Pont_du_Gard_BLS.jpg)
Theatre at Epidaurus (https://cdn.theculturetrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/1024px-epidaurus_theater_03-1-1024x422.jpg)

Medieval- Gothic cathedrals.

Please could you provide us with a link to utube vimeo or soundcloud to any music that you'd like your fellow managers to appreciate?

My taste in music is definitely for the minority but here goes
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_W3VykYhWA)

Are you single or married, how did you meet your partner (or last conquest) and what do they think about your interest in this game?

As alluded to earlier I'm married (for the second time). We first met at college when we were 15 years old and then again 15 years ago. She tolerates my endless analysis of HT very well I think.

Who is your favourite snooker player ever, and could you please provide a utube link to a truly memorable shot or match they've played?

Jimmy White has to be my favourite player. Made more screws than GKN
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmYo2Ny_KWY)