Wayne Mardle analyses the opening three nights of Premier League Darts
Thursday 26 February 2015 14:46, UK
The Premier League is back in Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on Thursday and Wayne Mardle will be in the commentary box for Sky Sports.
Live Premier League Darts
The season is only in its fourth week but some players are already in must-win territory as the battle for survival intensifies.
Ahead of Thursday’s event across the Irish Sea, Wayne has taken a look back at the season so far.
Surprise package
Dave Chisnall has discovered a way of winning matches that last season he would have lost. He hangs around now and becomes a real nuisance.
I’m pleasantly surprised with the way he’s dealt with it because he was one of the favourites to be relegated. Good on him!
Biggest disappointment
I thought Stephen Bunting would have hit the ground running but it hasn’t worked out that way for him.
We know that the Premier League is punishing but he has not taken to it as yet and against Phil Taylor last week he looked shellshocked. He tried too hard and that’s not conducive to playing good darts. He’s got to relax sooner or later or otherwise he’ll be the one for the drop.
Loudest venue
Leeds so far, though I remember this venue in Belfast last year and it was so loud that in the commentary box you felt the need to shout. If it’s like that on Thursday night it’s going to be an absolute belter.
Shock of the season
Bunting losing to Taylor last week in Liverpool. He played dismally and Phil did what he’s done for the last 25 years and that’s to put someone in their place.
If I’m honest I can’t see Michael van Gerwen being beaten that many times at all in this because his form has been absolutely incredible.
Taylor never missed and Bunting looked completely out of his depth. I’m surprised I’m saying that, but at the moment that’s the one that stands out as a real hiding because he didn’t play very well at all.
Early favourite
You have to make Michael van Gerwen the favourite but when you have the likes of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade and Gary Anderson in the competition anyone can win it, and Barney showed that last year.
It’s all about that knockout phase. Yes, you’ve got to qualify for it, but being favourite going into that really means nothing because form is still short enough for shocks to happen
Can anyone stop MVG?
How can anyone stop Michael van Gerwen? Well luckily for the players there’s the knockout phase. Effectively he’s only got to be beaten once.
If I’m honest I can’t see him being beaten that many times at all in this because his form has been absolutely incredible. Last week he said he played bad; he beat the world champion and averaged 101. It’s madness.
The way to stop him? He needs to slightly go off the boil and maybe make the odd mistake, but at the moment he’s not.
Best match
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor. Neither player was at their best because it was the opening night. Anderson is the world champion and Phil outplayed him but – a bit like Dave Chisnall at the moment – Gary is finding a way to win and for Anderson to do that is a huge step in the right direction because for so many years he’s played well and lost.
Because it was night one and everyone was excited, that stuck in my head. It was a real quality game that Gary won 7-5.
The newcomers
They’ve both struggled and it’s a shame because both Stephen Bunting and Kim Huybrechts have got the game and the belief sometimes. They need a win and the sooner it happens for them the better for the Premier League.
Favourite walk-on
It’s always Peter Wright now. As you know, I like someone that’s puts a bit of effort into it. I like the showmanship and players that get the crowd onside, and he’s tries!
Some of of the others don’t because they don’t feel the need, which is fine, but Snakebite loves it. Long may it continue!
Watch night four of Premier League Darts live on Sky Sports 1 on Thursday from 7pm
