Straight Shots Might Have Lost But Nigel Remains Upbeat

Straight Shots suffered there first defeat last night to Extreme Cues. Now some people will say this was a shock but i disagree. I think EC are to be taken seriously and with the addition to there line up of Darkinc(Don), who I originally thought was PFN. Obviously not. SS on the other hand I am sur ethis is just a temporary hitch and they will bounce back.

I interviewed nigel just 20 mins ago here are his views.

Interview with Nigel

Jason: Ok, I decided the half way point of WPC season 4 I would do a interview, I couldn't interview the best captain this season as i am doing the interview so I thought I would plump for nigel. Thank you for agreeing Nigel. How would you assess Straight Shots up to now this season?

Nigel: The best captain? Was that a jovial reference to yourself? Lol! We ought to count up our trophies won as captain and then do the talking!

Jason: Yes it was a joke. How would you assess Straight Shots this season?

Nigel: So far so good. I am trying to build up a better squad of more reliable players. There's always talk of my A, B and C team (thank you, Mr IPA Predictor!), and yes, given my first choice I think it would be a very strong team, but I am now looking more for reliability than quality. I am hoping to make the play-offs again, which is the minimum target

Jason: I think you have a good team. There are some players in IPA who can't buy a win but in WPC they win every week. Obviously Chris springs to mind after getting to the WPC All-stars last season Why do you think this is?

Nigel: I can't make Chris out; in IPA he seems to lose all too often and it's a worrying trend but in WPC, he's HOT! Very odd! He's the kind of reliable player i like to have onboard but I am now looking for consistency. Does it pose the question that IPA is stronger than WPC? Lol! Naaa, I'm joking, they're the same, of course... I think Chris has Saturdayitus, a trouble-some illness requiring plenty of practice on saturdays!

Jason: What are your views on the first WPC loss of the season for SS to the new guys Extreme Cues last night? Having watched it I thought it was a very tight game and could have gone anyway.

Nigel: Well, when we were 2-1 up, I really thought Mike and Charlie would, at the very least, get us a draw. I was expecting a win tbh, but Charlie surprisingly lost. Even then, Will was extremely lucky to beat Michele.... he could try that shot a hundred times and not succeed. Well done to EC, but they were very fortunate if we are honest. Having said that, they are a decent team; we drew with them 3-3 in IPA recently

Jason: I agree that EC was lucky. Now I must ask this as people have asked me why. Mike got boxed yesterday for his antics what are your views on what he did in the game against x.phenom?

Nigel: At first I thought he disconnected because I've seen Mike having computer problems, jumping in and out of his pool seat like a yoyo! But once it became clear what he did, I was onto Bev and you requesting a boxing straight away, as you know. I will NOT tolerate that kind of behaviour. It's embarrassing, it's unacceptable and it's very non-SS. Mike deserves 3 weeks and wont feature for SS in WPC for quite a while

Jason: Thank you for your honest answer. Lets move onto something different now. Who do you see as Straight Shots main rivals for WPC season 4, because SS are one of the favourites dispite having the trickier division?

Nigel: I am flattered that you see SS as one of the favourites. Since Marie and I took over as SS interleague coordinators, we have tried to raise the profile of SS in inters and I believe we have achieved this. SS have been very successful over the past year and, having arguably been conceived as a mediocre team in inters, we are now highly respected. To answer your question, I dont know too much about some of the teams because my aim is to make the play-offs rather than top the table, although that would be nice. If we are one of the favourites, then we must be doing something right with SS-IL! Lol!

Jason: Well your one of the favourites with LPL, PFN and BNR. PFN have got to the WPC World Cup bo3 Series every season since the start of WPC. How do you think this season is being ran and what do you think of the rules. Compared to the previous seasons?

Nigel: I am pleased with your involvement as the new HA and think you're doing a fine job. As you know, I haven't agreed with WPC rules on certain aspects and still don't like the way you haven't numbered them which I find hugely irritating (hard to quote a rule when it's not numbered!) I still think there's room for improvement but overall I feel that WPC is going in the right direction. However, WPC Expo is another issue... I am NOT happy with how you're running that.

Jason: Why are you not happy with the WPC EXPO?

Nigel: I know how you believe in working together with other inters. Only recently we had discussions regarding how WPC and IPA should work in unison regarding an issue with one particular team. Well, I thought you gave little concern for UIC Swiss (the US trny) on a Friday night when you set the new Expo times. Theres an overlap which we in SS (one of the teams that takes the Swiss seriously as our record shows) dislikes and felt was unnecessary. You were set to make it a 7pm EST start until I pursuaded you to compromise on 6pm! Lol! You said teams were asked and most wanted a later start, but Marie and I were NEVER consulted. I accept the times now but I remain unhappy and we are only continuing to take part because we are the current Expo champions. Other than that, I like the trny and it is well-supported by SS so its obviously popular

Jason: Well it was decided at a meeting it would be put down to 6pm anyway and most weeks it is nearly done by 7pm but WPC had loads of requests for it to be moved to a better time to give other leagues a chance to get players in and the stats show that more jump. I personally think it adds to the competition. Straight Shots are the champions, and this season they are ahead again. 6pm seems to work for most and there are no rules in EXPO saying u cant play a different tourney too. Ok now the question before the end in which I will be asking Captains of every interleague team. Dream Pool want to get back into the interleague scene. Now I know they have had all this aimer crap and the thing with there Head Admin. What are your views on DP being allowed back in interleagues like WPC where only they have to play every game on Camtasia?

Nigel: That's a refreshing take by an interleague and as long as they agree, which they have by what I've read, then as SS inters coordinator, I wouldn't oppose them taking part

Jason: Thank you for your answer nigel. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking part in this interview. I will finish on this last question. How do you see the season going? and If I had to push you for a prediction of the WPC World Cup who would you predict for the final?

Nigel: Jason, I have enjoyed doing this with you. I'm an honest guy and I am not afraid to speak candidly about things that might not be to my liking in WPC. I believe constructive critisism is important to strive for improvement in anything we do, be it online pool or in life in general. Overall, you have been a breath of fresh air to WPC which seemed to be flagging under its previous leadership. You're doing a great job and, with some fine tuning, I'm sure WPC will grow from strength to strength. I think the WPC4 season will be hugely successful so carry on the good work in keeping this IL fairly and well run. As for a final, BNR are strong as they're proving in IPA as well so I will plum for them as one finalist. Against who, well, take your pick from one of maybe 5 or 6. If you want to put me on the spot, I will say LPL because they are always strong in ILs

Jason: thank you very very much nigel good luck this season

Nigel: It's a pleasure, Jason, and good luck to WPC as well.... now number those bloody rules, will ya? Lmao! That and giving Drew a big kiss! IPA-WPC unity is very important too and I believe we are well on the way to achieving that.