Raymond van Barneveld could face another battle to avoid Premier League elimination, says Wayne Mardle
Friday 11 March 2016 06:45, UK
Wayne Mardle says Raymond van Barneveld could find himself in a fight to avoid elimination from the Premier League.
Having started with a 7-2 victory over Phil Taylor on opening night in Leeds, Barney has now won only one of his last five matches - and that was against a below-par Robert Thornton who could have snatched a point.
It all means that the Dutchman is down in eighth place and just one point clear of the relegation places ahead of his showdown with ninth-placed Dave Chisnall in Glasgow next week - after 'Chizzy', he faces Adrian Lewis and Michael van Gerwen.
Barney somehow pulled himself out of relegation trouble last year to make the play-offs and Sky Sports expert Mardle believes if he is not careful, Van Barneveld could find himself in another battle ahead of Judgement Night in Cardiff on March 31.
"He is getting dragged in. Last year, he was really embroiled in an elimination dogfight," Mardle said.
Live Premier League Darts
"This year, because he has got Robert Thornton below him and Michael Smith who has played a game more, he may not be as much.
"But if he loses next week and results go against him, then he most definitely is. It doesn't take a lot to get dragged in."
Barney was involved in the match of the night in Nottingham, showing plenty of spirit to fight back against Wade who had taken a 5-1 and 6-3 lead before eventually clinching the match.
Mardle felt a slow start cost the Dutchman and despite his battling qualities, it was Wade who deserved the victory.
"Raymond didn't hit the doubles in the early part of the match, that's why James pulled away," Mardle added.
"It was 5-1 at one point and it could easily have been three-all. Then Raymond started to get into it a bit - the 161 was a great shot, there was also a 118. It was quality from start to finish from the scoring aspect.
"I was pleased with the way James was playing. He was throwing with so much confidence. Playing quicker, throwing firmer and they were going in more direct.
"I think that at the very end, when he said 'I deserved to win', I think it was his confidence that got him over the line. I know it was Barney missing but after missing darts for a draw against Adrian Lewis, Wade will feel he has got that point back.
"It's what he deserves and I felt he was the best player in that match. Come the last leg, Barney's on 86 after nine darts - he should have won it but he didn't and that's the way it goes."
