Shaun Murphy slams 'ridiculous accusations' of losing concentration after Mark Selby win - 'It gets my goat'

Shaun Murphy has slammed «ridiculous» suggestions that he had lost concentration during parts of his win over Mark Selby at the Players Championship. Murphy came through 6-3 against the Jester from Leicester, but at one stage looked as if he would let slip his 5-1 lead, with Selby bringing it back to 5-3, before Murphy eventually got the final frame he needed. Ad The match came hot on the heels of his Welsh Open final defeat to Robert Milkins — a tight turnaround Murphy was also critical of — but despite prevailing, Murphy was angered by suggestions that losing concentration might have been responsible for his up-and-down play during the encounter.

Players ChampionshipMurphy weathers Selby fightback to reach Players Championship quarters4 HOURS AGO Speaking to ITV Sport, Murphy said: «I think accusing players of lapses in concentration is one of the laziest pieces of journalism in the world. »For people out there in snooker land to think that at the most important part of a frame or match my concentration wanders, is ridiculous. «There are quite some interesting technical reasons why you miss those balls.

»The one with the rest in the fourth frame — I hate straight shots. «I remember Sir Nick Faldo saying 'the ball isn't supposed to go in a straight line'. It's complete rubbish [the suggestion players might be thinking ahead to their next shots].

‘What about a car or a beautiful watch?’ — Hendry says 147 prize in snooker should be bigger 'Humiliating' — Wells responds to 'damaging' O'Sullivan comments »It's one of those things that gets my goat. «You don't lose your concentration, there are always reasons why, you might be thinking about the cannon, but you are focussed. »It's the most important game of the season, at