World Darts Championship: Phil Taylor must be mentally stronger, says Wayne Mardle
Tuesday 29 December 2015 13:09, UK
Phil Taylor must become mentally stronger in order to challenge for the World Darts Championship, says Wayne Mardle.
The 16-time world champion laboured to a 4-1 win against Kevin Painter in his second-round tie on Monday night, having lost the opening set and briefly looked at risk of an early exit from the tournament.
His weaknesses, according to Sky Sports expert Mardle, are not technical issues but are problems in his head.
Anyone that pushes him will feel like they've got him - because Kevin did, at one point.
"Phil will have to improve mentally if he wants to win it," Mardle told Sky Sports. "Anyone that pushes him will feel like they've got him - because Kevin did, at one point.
"Mentally he is weak, and I think Phil knows that. I'm not saying he's lying to himself and lying to us but saying he's playing the best he's ever played in practice - really? I'm not a believer in it but maybe he's trying to kid himself. If it works for you, then do it.
"In the past, worries have not bothered Phil. He's not as mentally strong as he used to be, and the other players are. So it's changed left, right and centre for him and the situation he's in, he doesn't like.
"Phil said himself that he was nervous. He just can't settle. There's something that's not allowing him to relax. He's just got to relax but he doesn't seem to be able to."
Taylor will face a third-round contest against either Mervyn King or Jelle Klaasen, representing a stiffer test than Painter was able to pose - particularly since 'The Power' has won 30 games on the trot against his most recent opponent.
Mardle believes that a similar performance from Taylor will see him punished by King or Klaasen.
He said: "The first set [against Painter] Phil averaged 90, and I know it's only a guide, but the likelihood is if he plays either of those two he'd lose that. Then he averaged 85 in the second set and the third - the likelihood is that he'd be 3-0 down against those two. He won't get away with it.
"King and Klaasen are different animals. They won't worry about Phil, they've beaten him before, they will just plough on. Phil will have to play better but he knows that - I can't see him playing that badly."
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