Premier League Darts talking points for Raymond van Barneveld, Michael van Gerwen and co
Thursday 11 February 2016 16:19, UK
Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade kicked off the Premier League Darts season with impressive victories but there were difficult defeats for Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.
Ah, we've missed the darts! But what did we learn from last Thursday's opening night in Leeds?
We've looked back over the results and given our assessment…
When will Wade get credit?
Has anybody out there backed James Wade to be crowned 2016 Premier League Darts champion? If not, why not? 'The Machine' outplayed Michael van Gerwen and defeated the world's top player 7-4 having conceded the first three legs yet isn't always mentioned among the likeliest contenders for the top prizes.
He's No 6 in the world and reached the top of the mountain in 2009 in the Premier League so knows what it takes to lift the big trophies. "People aren't beating Michael when they have their chance," Wade told Sky Sports before their match-up and it appeared like he would join that unsuccessful list when he went 3-0 down.
But Wade's darts are meticulous and methodical, rather than the type of explosiveness than Van Gerwen demonstrated in the video above. Perhaps that's why Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and co are frequently favoured above Wade, but the Aldershot thrower proved on the opening night that he has the arsenal to beat anybody.
Barney can still rise to the occasion
At this point in his career, we know that Raymond van Barneveld has the audacity to defeat any player on the PDC roster but the issue arises when he must do it consistently. Take the World Championships in January, for example, when he delivered a classic display to eliminate Van Gerwen but was then flung out by Adrian Lewis.
He threw with almost unerring accuracy at his doubles in a 7-2 thrashing of Phil Taylor on the Premier League's opening night. Hitting all six of his first darts at a double, he then crucially missed as he threw for a tournament record. It didn't matter, as Taylor had already been overwhelmed by this point and Van Barneveld cruised over the finishing line.
The result can't be attributed to Taylor's performance - he hit a lovely 113 checkout - because Van Barneveld simply didn't give him a moment to breathe. It's a perfect start for the Dutch master, the 2014 Premier League winner, but will he still be competitive by the time we head to his home country for the Rotterdam leg?
MvG isn't unbeatable
No sportsman or woman is indestructible but Van Gerwen's form over the past couple of years makes him as intimidating as any of his dominant peers across other sporting landscapes. That fearsome reputation has been earned but we've seen a few cracks in the windscreen recently.
Wade wore him down with relentless scoring last Thursday, and it wasn't long before an uncomfortable Van Gerwen had a frustrated scowl on his face. He won last week Masters in Milton Keynes but losing to Wade was his first Sky Sports appearance since he was beaten by Van Barneveld at Ally Pally. Your memory might even stretch far back enough to remember Van Gerwen's shock loss to Robert Thornton in the World Grand Prix final in October.
Of course, these examples of defeat are hand-picked and do not reflect the green-clad Dutchman's vice-like grip over darts. Although Anderson might be creeping up on Van Gerwen's No 1 spot don't expect him to remain in the losing column for long. And who does Van Gerwen play next week in the Premier League? Anderson.
Premier League is a baptism of fire
Everyone has to earn their stripes somewhere but inexperience on the Premier League circuit can be an unforgiving and inhospitable existence. Michael Smith, the world No 8, is touted as one of darts' rising stars by everybody in-the-know but endured a miserable start to his Premier League career.
Picked in the 10-man line-up for the first time, Smith lost a coin toss which forced him to compete twice last Thursday to cover for Anderson's late withdrawal. He was dealt a harsh lesson in his first match, losing 7-2 to Peter Wright, before Adrian Lewis mercilessly beat him 7-1. In the second outing Smith never appeared settled or recovered from his first loss, and Lewis offered words of sympathy at the conclusion of the drubbing.
Thornton, meanwhile, returned to the Premier League after a year out and just couldn't adapt quickly enough. Dave Chisnall whitewashed him, reminding Thornton what life is like in the fast lane. For Smith and Thornton in particular, the learning curve will be steep.
Anderson must make up ground
The reigning champion withdrew from the opening night at a few hours' notice due to illness meaning he's already got some making up to do. At some point this season he will be forced to play twice in the same night which, in such a quick format tournament, brings unique challenges.
As mentioned, Smith found the double outing too tough to handle but Anderson, in contrast, is vastly experienced at this level. He will need to call on every ounce of composure to begin the defence of his title a week later than his nine challengers.
Live Premier League Darts
You can watch the second round of Premier League action, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm in Newcastle on Thursday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.
We will be building up to the coverage on our live blog here www.skysports.com/darts and the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action.
