Despite yesterday's shock 10-6 first-round defeat at the Embassy World Championship by Irishman Michael Judge, John Parrott insists he is not beyond his best. Parrott could now be forced to enter the qualifying stages of tournaments next season because of his early exit at the Crucible - only the second time in 18 years he has been knocked out in the first round - but he believes this could work in his favour and pointed to the example of fellow veteran Jimmy White, who has seen a return to his form of old this season.
"The way I've played, I don't deserve to be in the top 16," admitted Parrott. "But one thing about next year is that if I have a match before I get to the televised stages then maybe I'll be a bit more dangerous. One of the things that has caught me napping this year is that I've been playing people who have already had a match," he explained.
"There's always something to look on. Obviously you'd prefer to be in the top 16. But it doesn't mean that all of a sudden you're off the circuit and not playing any more. Look at Jimmy White - he had a good start to the season. It's possible to get back in. You just have to play better than I have this season," he added.
However, eighth seed Alan McManus was not as philosophical as Parrott about his early exit at the hands of Northern Ireland's Patrick Wallace. The 30-year-old Scot looked very dejected after he was trounced 10-2 by the world number 59 and surprised journalists with what he had to say.
"Sometimes you just don't enjoy it," he admitted. "It just didn't feel right and I let myself down a bit. It's disappointing to come here and feel that way. My head went down a bit and you shouldn't let it. I've been having problems starting matches for the last couple of years - I seem to go in sometimes and not even try. You can't do that. I feel like the first couple of frames don't matter and it's crazy. I've been going into matches and waiting until I'm 2-0 down before I start trying to do anything."
"Sometimes the game is too easy. You can be in a game and you can't be bothered potting the balls. It's like you'd rather sit and read the paper or something. Sometimes I don't want to try. It's weird. I was absolutely shocking and this result will take a few weeks to sink in," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
