Johan back at 2026 Mosconi Cup Healm

[Badpenguin]

Delusional. If that's the case, then ANYONE under Johan's coaching is exceptional. Nothing can prevent Tyler from dogging those 9ball's like he did last year. That's all his own doing, NOT lack of coaching.

Seems like you're trying to make excuses for last year's performance.

Hunter Lombardo under Johan's coaching is a world-beater I guess.

None of the 10 people who end up competing in the MC are really _that_ far apart in skills as far as shot making, pattern recognition, cue ball control, etc. They can all probably run 5 packs at the practice table on the MC equipment. Having proper mental coaching, discipline, and practice routines, that is a different story. People probably do perform much better under him. Gorst, for example, relied on him like he was his mother when he won his world championship. Even with his "perfect" fundamentals, Gorst was struggling and grinding because what goes on in his head. Performance can be dramatically affected by a good coach.

 

[jbart65]

Non-playing captains is dumb.

They are not captains, they are coaches, regardless of the title used. Coaches don't play in any other major sport, either.

 

[Kris_b1104]

None of the 10 people who end up competing in the MC are really _that_ far apart in skills as far as shot making, pattern recognition, cue ball control, etc. They can all probably run 5 packs at the practice table on the MC equipment.

I disagree. You can't convince me that Thorpe and Styer are close to Filler/FSR/Shaw/Albin in skill level and with enough coaching, can perform the same as them. They've been on the scene for over a decade and have yet to prove themselves of that type of caliber.

The only time I've ever seen Tyler run a 5-pack was against a 741. I've never seen Billy do it. So your claim is pure speculation. Billy's shot-making and cue ball control is worlds apart from the best Euro players. I will give Sky credit as I have him above the other 2 I mentioned.

And the MC isn't even about who can play the best on the practice table equipment or who can run packs, it's about who has HEART under the most intense, pressure-filled situations. And unfortunately, many are lacking in that department and succumb to the bright lights.

Sure, you can say Gorst relied on Johan for a period of time, but Johan can't make the balls for anyone. The player still has to perform.