Welcome all to season 6, I assure you this will be the best season yet in WPC. Like I have said in my previous post, Jason is trying to improve on past faults and he will do just that! When reading on understand that this is just a outline as to where I foresee the outcome of this regular season. If you don't like what you read the door is to the right, I wont be shellshocked if you choose to exit now -->. These are MY opinions and MY opinions only, I look forward to hearing yours on the WPC shoutbox. Now, there are 2 reasons I do this; A) I really am starting to enjoy blogging, B) I am hoping this lights a fire under each and every one of you to prove me wrong or to justify my claims! Please note that the WPC schedule is not up presently but will be within the week. Good Luck this season and may the yahoo glitches be in your favor.
ATTENTION: February 20th Kicks off EXPO
February 22nd WPC Matches Start
-PLAYOFF PICTURE-
1st Place MoneyInTheBank
Pommy seems to bring a talented squad where ever he goes (man does he move around, lol). There are many questions, can they show with their guns all the time? I am putting my foot out and saying they will (hopefully it doesn't end up in my mouth), MIB don't make me regret this :). Will MIB be able to pull off wins like they do in PRO when carry isn't a factor? They have Solid players like Joey and Ben (are they playing in WPC?) clintched with Pommy and Conor (can Conor stay through the grueling season or will he leave?), they can easily carry MIB sailing full speed into the playoffs. Only time will tell how these questions get answered, I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation...
2nd Place PoolFiction
PFN is a team people tend to have a love/hate relationship with. Cubby and Kerry do wonders at bringing a solid team to the table week in and week out. They have great sportsmanship as well as team spirit. You can always count on PFN to get at least one freebie win a season by reading the rules meticulously or playing teams that are to careless to follow them. PFN's team has solid players in Kerry, Cubby, Brent, and Mina followed up with Superb players in Lewis and Jeremy. If they show with that kind of a lineup weekly PFN are easily favored to get a bye and will definitely go deep into the playoffs. Keep an EYE out for PFN they have always been able to turn heads.
3rd Place StraightShots
In truth this is me TRYING not to be bias. I really don't like SS, they are like the Cowboys in American football you either love them or you hate them similar to PFN in that aspect. My opinion aside lets look at the facts, they have a very active league that puts inter leagues at the top of their list. Multiple players do not always produce W's in anything besides tourneys but SS have a number of quality starters. I am confident SS will step up with solid players like Nish, Nigel, and Chris supported by Superb players in Steven and Pascal. SS are bound to contend with the top 6 teams pulling out enough wins to keep them sitting high and dry in 3rd place. The only sad thing is they wont be seeing a bye in the playoffs this season.
4th Place Xtreme8Ball
X8B are always a mystery, they make the playoffs season after season only to fall first round. Expect something similar this season, home field 1st round might change that but don't count your chickens before they hatch X8B. Solid players like Ben, Corey, James, and Marco followed up with Superb players in Robby and Ross should keep X8B mopping up the back end of the list. They will be fighting tooth and nail with the top 3 and might have a slim shot at getting a bye if they can keep up the pace they are exhibiting in UIC. I just don't know if they can hack bringing 6 to the table every week to pull off a first round bye. No one can dispute the talent but like I said, who is going to show? Jekyll or Hyde.
5th Place SexyPoolerz
Lets see, how can SP fall from top seed going into the playoffs to be predicted 5th? Look at their UIC stats, could it just be a lucky season SP experienced? They have always been solid, SP have VERY good snook skills but their table running is limited. Solid players like Snooky, Ketan, Pete, and Ste can do well to hold off the dogs below them. SP games aren't always pretty but these guys get it done when it counts. I don't see them going nearly as deep this season in WPC but they have the potential to break any team they play. I don't recommend taking these guys for granted.
6th Place MagicPool
Congrats on winning last season but rarely do things carryover so nicely into the next season. You have lost a key player in Steven and it will show this season. I have faith you will bring 6 to the table and show that you deserve a playoff spot. Will there be much more to be said? only time will tell. I do know this much, MP will bring solid players like Croz, Anil, Chris, Joe, and Jordy. Those players can hold onto a 6th spot easily if not higher but I have questions about their clinch spot. Who will step into the clinch role? All-in-all MP takes the last place and makes a run into the 2nd round of the playoffs.
-ON THE BUBBLE-
7th Place DeadStrokes
I really like DS they have had some misfortunes over the last year but hopefully they get back on their feet. I really don't think Chele can bring the "guns" to crack the playoff spots but if she does DS deserves it. I can see them getting placed in 5th or 6th with a couple lucky wins on top teams like PFN, SS, or X8B. Solid players like Roy, John (x_skillz_x), and Chuck (drunken_bastard) supported by Ashton (if he shows weekly) could scare some teams. I can only say good things about this team and I truly hope they surprise us all and make a run into the post-season.
8th Place Freedom
Petey is a character, he will bring enough to make the match a challenge but I cant see them winning many this season. FR have Solid Players in Hope and Tim Held up by a Superb Petey but the rest I cant make heads or tails of. FR will bring 5 or 6 weekly but that will not be enough to see a good shot at the playoffs. FR would have been a contender this season if Ash and Drew were able to play. On a lighter note, I do think that FR will be in a situation at the end of the season to push a team out of a playoffs so watch out WPC!
-OUT OF CONTENTION-
9th Place ExtremePoolCompetitors
Jack I really hope you prove me wrong here but with the list of teams you have to contend with I can NOT see you placing anywhere but the proverbial gutter (close enough to call it the gutter anyways). You have a slew of Solid players in Timm, Mikey, and yourself but no one that can be called in the clutch. I see you showing with 4 or 5 but not being able to scrap anything together this season. Sure you do great in git and ipa but the level of competition is far from the quality seen here. Half of your players in those inters play on top contenders in WPC so where will you pull your players from season?
10th Place SimplyPoolSouls
I sadly cant say I know much about this team. They are not doing so well in PRO but from what I have seen they hold their heads up high. I would love to see you guys finish the season on a strong note. SPS, if you bring a full team weekly I am sure you can jump ahead of EPC and possibly FR but none of your team stands out to me. I wish you luck and I hope that you stick around for the long haul Jason will make sure of that haha. I can see SPS getting a sportsmanship award at the end of the season but nothing more. Don't worry SPS, it is a challenge starting off in inters but once you log your hours you will see production in the future. I cant forsee Jason carrying this team to victory especially with a no-name lineup. Jason, show us all that you can make no-names into ypool stars!