To be honest I have nothing but respect for Ferguson. The guy was an absolute genius - shame he managed United.

Detests us though doesn't he Kav! Reckon we will win today?

Yeah, silly bitter old man. Well not looking too good at the moment are we. Far too much huff and puff in the middle of the field but no end product. At least theres some good games on today at Sheffield

Lacking a striker. Says it's got that pre season feel about it. Far cry from 12 months ago.

Robbo 3-1 up on Carter

Robbo 6-2 overnight, decent lead

Yeah great manager Fergie managed my club Aberdeen, was very successful there as a provincial club against the old firm and went on to further achievements with Man Utd down in England, winning pretty much everything there, a born winner and everywhere he went made sure the players in his squad, although it took time to achieve this at both Aberdeen and Manchester United were exactly the same and had the same mentality, but I,m disappointed at comment about Djokovic being a winner which without doubt he is, but to say that being a winner is to fake injury in a major final to try and distract his opponent in my opinion is not what sporting integrity and fairplay is about, there,s a right way to do things and a wrong way, especially where sport is concerned, you might as well jack it in if it comes to that.

Time for the main man.....

Yes think Ronnie should win this match although if Stevens can stay with him and there are only one or two frames in it at the end Stevens is capable of winning, one of those guys who has always been good to watch Stevens, I would say along with Jimmy White another talented player never to have won this event when you think of the likes of Doherty, Williams, Ebdon, and Dott, etc who have and he hasn,t, its a shame, I also think that if Ronnie doesn't win this year he definitely wont beat Hendry,s 7 titles, as he had a chance being in the final last year, if he was to lose in the final this year or even in the quarters/semis it may hurt his overall confidence in the coming years, as the younger players are getting better each year, and there are more talented players reaching their peak now at the same time.

Time for Ronnie, Stevens could do well you know

Yes should be a cracking match if they both play well, both like to attack if given the chance, Stevens played well and had a good result against Mark Williams, but cant really judge on that performance as Williams was very poor.

Topsy turvy opening frame

Nice clearance 1-0 Stevens

some good potting at the end of the 1st frame there from Stevens, good frame to win for him, should boost his confidence, if he can stay ahead or get himself two or three frames in front and keep that pattern could win this match, certainly has the talent and ability to beat Ronnie on his day.

I really think Stevens can upset Ronnie - showed great form against Williams in the first round, and not sure just how good form Ronnie is in at the moment. Of course Ronnie remains strong favourite, but I think both him and Trump face tough ties and predicted upsets in both......

And now 2-0. Great start.

I think he could upset him too. He's come out of the blocks really well here, long way to go though. 2-0

Lads

Tino

Ronnie playing quite poorly

And just as i say that he cuts a beauty into the left corner

Finishes with a century. He's the only player that can seemingly play poorly and still make a 100 break

Good frame eventually from Ronnie but a bit lucky to win that frame really, got away with the miss could have left the red on, left a 50/50 choice on a pot or a safety for Stevens which I think eventually made him play a poor safety, if Stevens had got in with a decent chance and cleaned up for 3-0 would have been so different, but all ifs and buts, good clearance though, next frame big one for stevens.

Good break, 2-1

Ronnie looks a wee bit nervous though, a bit fidgety, if he goes behind by a few frames think he may crack in this tournament, as will be playing tougher players later on in this competition who may put him under real pressure, if he gets riled after one mistake, how will he react under real pressure this tournament.
He has been given two really good opportunities this frame and last and wont get these against the better players I assume.