Martin Adams plays down 'clown' row with Peter Wright ahead of Grand Slam of Darts
Thursday 5 November 2015 16:25, UK
Martin Adams insists he is baffled by Peter Wright's verbal attack and has denied calling the Scotsman a 'clown' ahead of the Grand Slam of Darts.
'Wolfie' Adams accepted an invite to make his first appearance at the tournament, starting this Saturday live on Sky Sports, but the BDO player did not receive a warm welcome from PDC rival Wright.
The multi-coloured Wright claims the three-time world champion used a mocking term to describe him, and 'Snakebite' has vowed to put Adams 'back in his place.'
Responding to Wright's harsh words, Adams told Sky Sports: "Whatever. If that's your opinion Peter, then that's your opinion. I've not read it. I've not bothered to read it, to be honest.
I've never said Peter Wright is a clown. I don't know where he gets that from.
"I've never said Peter Wright is a clown. I don't know where he gets that from.
"It's probably the rumours market on Twitter and Facebook. If you believe all that stuff, well...
"OK Pete, carry on. What place is that I wonder?"
The two men could come face-to-face on the oche in Wolverhampton if they progress from their groups and Adams hopes their match would be played in the right spirit.
"I would hope it's on good terms and we have a game of darts and a good match," said the 59-year-old, who was drawn in Group B with Ian White, Jelle Klaasen and Steve Beaton,
"I've got no problems with Peter, that's for sure. I really cannot work out why he's got a problem with me and if he believes that's what I said, then he's wrong somewhere along the line."
Adams will be joined by another former Lakeside champion, Andy Fordham, who battled his way through the qualifying rounds.
Fordham has overcome serious health problems and 'Wolfie' is glad to see him again at a top competition.
"It's great to see Andy back playing some proper darts and playing well," he said.
"He has sort of been in the doldrums for so long and it's been lovely to see his build-up. I've seen him on the circuit where he's playing better and better in different tournaments and he actually played really well that day and got through.
"Fair play to him and now he's practising hard for his first match.
"He's been through a lot has Andy, and it's great to see him get back in there.
"He's got a little something to prove, but also he's got great experience and that is something you cannot buy and he will draw on that experience I'm sure."
Reigning champion Phil Taylor is enduring a rare barren spell in his glittering career and is yet to win a major title this year.
But Adams expects Taylor to recapture his masterful form and would relish another meeting with the 16-time world champion, who starts in Group H with Rowby-John Rodriguez, Robbie Green and Martin Phillips.
"It would be nice to play Phil again. I haven't played him for a long time," said Adams. "I can't remember the last time, it was that long ago.
"Your form can go in phases of good and bad, indifference maybe, but that's just your form. You can be good one day and absolutely terrible the next.
"I would say where Phil is concerned, he's had two or three bad days at the office and that's all it amounts to.
"You can't write off Phil off, definitely not, no. Too good a player."
Watch day one of the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday November 7, starting at 1pm on Sky Sports 2.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
