Tuesday 15 November 2016 10:22, UK
Martin 'Wolfie' Adams is a popular addition to the Grand Slam of Darts but will be chucked in the deep end against Michael van Gerwen on Saturday. Sky Sports' Rod Studd recalls their history...
Martin turned down invitations to the Grand Slam before. How would people react to him, would he be welcomed? Or would be brought over as the villain of the piece?
The key was Martin embracing the whole idea of playing in the Grand Slam last year. He came with exactly the right attitude, and the supporters embraced him. It was heart-warming because he enjoyed being there, and they enjoyed him being there!
It was great from the word 'go' and playing so well enhanced that. Beating Ian White - he had three 100-plus finishes which brought the house down so immediately he was up-and-running. He had the perfect start and it snowballed from there.
He beat Jelle Klaasen, then beat Steve Beaton. He was 4-1 up, Steve got it back to 4-4 but Martin won. It was great to see - it was a retro game, Martin of the BDO against Steve, the world champion in the mid-90s. Everyone loves nostalgia, going down memory lane.
He was brilliant for darts. Whether he thought afterwards: 'I should have played in years gone by' but it's easy with hindsight.
He played Kim Huybrechts in the knockout phase and lost 10-9 in a brilliant match. I don't know if Martin felt this at the time, but it was the right way to go out. He went out on his sword.
He would have played Michael van Gerwen in the next round so it would have been sad if Martin lost heavily in that match. He enjoyed playing Huybrechts, who showed him lots of respect. He was brilliant for darts. Whether he thought afterwards: 'I should have played in years gone by' but it's easy to say with hindsight.
Van Gerwen v Adams on Saturday night is old against new. If we go back into the depths of time, back to 2006, they played in the BDO World Masters. This was the first coming of Van Gerwen, a precocious teenager who was taking the world of darts by storm. Martin was the top man at the BDO but Michael played like he's started to play now.
They've got a little bit of previous although it was a long time ago. I'm sure Martin and Michael will have a wander down memory lane but Michael will remember that match more fondly because he won.
Michael is a Dutch darts juggernaut so, although he was a slight favourite in 2006, now he will be an overwhelming favourite. Not many people will give Martin a price but, in very short games, stranger things are more likely.
You can't completely dismiss Wolfie's chances but even if he loses, he's still got a great chance of getting through the group.
Watch the Grand Slam of Darts live on Sky Sports between November 12-20.
