Gary Wilson in the snooker dilemma after exiting the World Cup

The best season of Gary Wilson’s career came to an end on Monday, but he still doesn’t know how to make the leap to the next level.

The Tyneside Terror won their first ranking title at the Scottish Open that season and made their first seedling appearance at the Crucible when they defeated Elliot Slessor in the first round.

However, on his second appearance in Sheffield he was beaten 13-7 by Mark Selby and while that’s no shame he was disappointed with his performance.

Selby was not up to his time and Wilson felt he could have taken a few risks if he had been in top form himself.

Frustrated that he wasn’t playing his best at the World Cup, Wilson says what he needs to achieve is simple, he just needs to figure out how.

“I just need to play better, it sounds easy, but I’m doing it. I know I can play better. Given the number of hours I practice, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t,” he said.

“Or I’m always missing something and I’ll have a good run now and then…but I’ll try to figure out what I can do this summer to be more consistent and play at a higher level more often.”

“Part of us thinks that’s just my level, but another part thinks maybe I just need to practice harder. Who knows? I don’t know the answers.

“I need to master my own game and stop being afraid to miss. I’m always afraid of missing something, not because of where I am, who I’m playing against, the tournament, it’s just letting myself down. I expected so much from myself to play well that we are afraid to miss something.

“I have to get rid of that and try to play carefree or at least find a balance.”

One man who seems carefree in Sheffield this year is Luca Brecel, who says she has hardly trained for this World Cup.

Could the relaxed style of the Belgian Bullet be the answer to the Tyneside Terror?

“Maybe that’s it. I’m a pretty natural player, maybe I try too hard in training, maybe not hard enough?” Wilson wondered.

“I go over the moves on the practice table, maybe I should try less or maybe I should really try like I did years ago.

“But I remember doing that years ago and getting into some very bad habits from trying too hard. I also subconsciously fear it because I try too hard.

“I’ll figure it out eventually, maybe I’ll be 70, but I’m sure eventually I’ll find a way to play this game well.”

Wilson’s victory at the Scottish Open was due in part to a carefree, attacking, almost reckless style of play that he loved for a while, but which he says is unsustainable.

“It was like a honeymoon. It’s my most instinctive, natural way to pick up a cue, sit on a table and splash some balls around,” he said.

“It only works for a short time and it makes you miss balls, it makes you reach for balls. It worked for me for a game and a half, but when I tried to keep going it started to fall apart.

“You would try that, I had won a tournament, I got a little bit of confidence, was excited for the first time in a long time, but it started to fall apart quickly. It’s not a good way to play.

“The way I’ve been playing for a number of years has worked to a certain extent for a reason. It’s more about getting the extra little parts than changing everything completely. I’ll have to think about that this summer.”