Snooker hit the sports headlines this week and it was no surprise that this was due to the words and actions of Ronnie O'Sullivan. 'The Rocket' is never shy of giving the media a story, but his latest outburst, an attack on what he sees as the petty and unimaginative governing of snooker, was notable as it received widespread support.

O'Sullivan's fellow professionals are similarly unimpressed about receiving fines from the WPBSA for forfeiting frames they cannot win and entering overseas tournaments that are barely worth their while due to insufficient prize funds.

Some leading commentators were also quick to back 'the Rocket' and it is certainly true that snooker, widely deemed to be on the slide since its popularity peak in the mid-80s, needs its image to be carefully managed.

However, O'Sullivan's proposed cure, a PDO-darts style overhaul orchestrated by Simon Cowell and Barry Hearn, whilst recognising the need for outside promotion and sponsorship, will leave many snooker fans in despair.

Darts is suited to the frenzied crowd interaction, snooker is not. The 'let's get the boys on the baize' introduction bellowed by Rob Walker at each tournament already feels incongruous. Such a major image overhaul is a heavy price to pay to attract new interest.

This is the perennial headache for all sports administrators: how to develop the sport and generate a wider interest whilst at the same time retaining the core elements that appeal to the purists' tastes.

If snooker needs an equivalent of cricket's Twenty20, then so be it, but the core ranking events and BBC flagship tournaments need not be tinkered with - anyone who watched the nail-biting climax to last month's UK Championship final between Shaun Murphy and Marco Fu must have been enthralled.

It is the skill, drama and tension that that match showcased which should be promoted to attract a new generation of fans, not imaginary glitz and glamour.

However, snooker cannot stand still and its governors must be on their toes, especially if O'Sullivan retires and BBC coverage ceases - these much-rumoured changes to the sport would represent significant body blows to its mass appeal.

As for the current tournament, I have backed Ali Carter in the Master Snooker betting. One of the most improved players on the circuit, he should prevail against Peter Ebdon in his opener and is in the type of form to capitalise on O'Sullivan's distracted state of mind. 'The Rocket' was lucky to edge past Joe Perry with a brand new cue and as ever looks too short in the winner's market.