Sky Sports' Wayne Mardle hands out his new-boys verdict as they look ahead to the tournament's unique set of challenges
Thursday 1 February 2018 08:02, UK
Rob Cross, Mensur Suljovic, Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney are set to make their Premier League Darts debuts on Thursday, live on Sky Sports. How will they handle the step up?
What does it mean to be included in the Premier League?
Cross: The challenge of going out every week in the Premier League I think is excellent. It's a great opportunity to show what I can do.
Gurney: It means something, that I'm doing something right. I still need to improve but obviously I'm going in the right direction.
Price: I deserve this, and I can live with any of them. It's a great honour to be picked. I'm not here for one year - I want to play for many years to come!
Do you belong in the world's top 10?
Suljovic: I think I am one of the world's 10 best players.
Gurney: Some days I do, some I don't. I've been watching these players for years and now, on a weekly basis, but now I have to beat them. I need to get out of the mode of looking at them as superstars. I've got to realise that I need to beat them.
Price: I'm not here to make up numbers, I'm here to be in the top four. I've got the ability. I'm No 12 in the world (James Wade and Dave Chisnall are not in it) and I've worked hard for this.
The season is notoriously gruelling. Are you prepared for that?
Gurney: I've been warned by past players, from four of five years ago, so I know it will be a gruelling tournament. I wouldn't have said yes otherwise. You get a day and a half off before you're away again. Definitely it's a challenge. Last year I had a couple of weekends at home and this year it will be worse because I'll be even busier.
Cross: I've never experienced the Premier League so it's going to be a little bit new and it will take a couple of weeks to settle in.
What about the crowds? Can you impress them?
Gurney: I'm looking forward to being a part of the atmosphere with a crowd against me, on my back. Belfast is my home tournament and whenever there is Sweet Caroline blasting out, we're guaranteed a great atmosphere.
Suljovic: I am a little bit nervous!
Price: I'm anxious heading into the first game. It's a new tournament, new environment so I don't know what to expect. The bigger crowd will be the biggest change. I'm sure after the first walk-on, then the first dart, I'll be ok. I don't usually get nervous. Peter Wright is the only one who is giving advice - I don't know if that's good or bad! Maybe he's looking to put me off! Peter gives me lots of tips, some of which I don't take!
Have you set yourself a target?
Suljovic: My target is to be in the last eight, that would be good for me. I am most excited to play Gary Anderson, a nice guy and a brilliant player. I have beaten him before.
Price: I want revenge on Gary Anderson in Cardiff.
Cross: Last year was a bit of a whirlwind, a learning curve all the way through, and this year will be no different. Usually I deal with it and I'm going to enjoy it."
The 2018 Premier League gets underway from Dublin's 3Arena this Thursday night with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action. 16 weeks of tungsten will continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.
Keep up to date with the latest darts news, previews, reports, reaction and expert analysis. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
