Premier League Darts: Rob Cross insists Raymond van Barneveld can 'come back even stronger'

Rob Cross believes the winless Raymond van Barneveld still has "magic" despite his Premier League Darts struggles.

Cross inflicted a 7-3 defeat on Van Barneveld on Thursday in Nottingham - the legendary Dutchman hasn't won a match in six weeks of this season, and is rooted to the bottom of the league with elimination looking likely.

"That guy is a five-time world champion. He is special," Cross said post-match. "That's in the past obviously but, even in the present, when he gets his confidence then you won't stop him.

The magic [Barney] has got doesn't just go away overnight.

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"It will be like riding a bike.

"I've been friends with Raymond for a couple of years and he has always been great to me. I wish him the best, but he has definitely still got it.

"The magic he has got doesn't just go away overnight.

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"He is fantastic - partly for what he has done for this game, but I still believe he has got 'it' at the top level.

"When he believes that, and starts pushing on, you will see Raymond come back even stronger."

Van Barneveld has his best chance of a maiden victory next week in Berlin when he plays Max Hopp, the replacement for Gary Anderson. All six 'contenders' have lost their respective matches so far.