Phil Taylor missing Premier League Darts play-offs would be massive, says Wayne Mardle
Tuesday 19 May 2015 13:35, UK
There are just two weeks remaining before the Premier League Darts finals at London's O2 Arena and the pressure is on the game's greatest player, Phil Taylor, to get a result against world champion Gary Anderson on Thursday night in Newcastle.
We asked Sky Sports Darts expert Wayne Mardle for his Night 14 picks...
Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson
Wayne said: There appears to be a natural regression in Phil Taylor's stats and game. In a matter of two weeks he might not be world No 2 anymore. Taylor hasn't been out of the top two since 2004. He's never failed to qualify for the Premier League play-offs and in eight of those years he topped the league.
There's a slow decline happening but much of it is not to do with his standards. A lot is due to the fact that other players are getting better. But losing to Barney with a 115 average and losing last week to Michael with a 106 average - things like that never used to happen to Phil.
If he wasn't to qualify it would be a massive statement in darts. It's like the fall of Tiger Woods - people would no longer see him as a winner. This could be the first time Taylor will have not been in the top four players and out of 10 that doesn't seem to ring true. It's incredible because he's played well so often but he's in this position because of missed chances.
There's also a real likelihood that he's not going to win this match because Anderson can beat anyone. But Taylor can't afford to lose; if he does that's it and if he draws it I still don't fancy his chances - he has to beat Gary.
Last week, Gary got upset about Raymond van Barneveld 'stepping’ into his playing area. This was peculiar for me because nothing happened!
I'm not saying Gary was making excuses, or suggesting he was making a meal of it but, whatever he thought happened didn't. I stood on stage afterwards testing out floorboards to see whether they moved - they didn't. Barney didn't encroach the exclusion zone but for some reason Gary didn't feel comfortable.
He had miscounted a couple of times and the pressure just told and he folded and wilted under it. I don't think Gary will come out fighting for this week; he played, for him, some appalling darts at the weekend. He might be unsettled and Phil has a brilliant chance to win this game.
This is a night where Taylor cannot afford to fluff his lines. He has to put Gary under pressure and keep him there. Unfortunately for Gary he's playing a man that has done that for the last 25 years.
Prediction: I can't see Phil being edgy but I can see it getting very, very tight is if it remains close and that's where Phil could buckle, If Taylor gets off to a good start he'll run riot.
Live Premier League Darts
James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld
I can't work out Wade. For one of the most consistent players over the past 10 years he's been ultra inconsistent. He averages 103/104 and then 90.
Barney only needs a point, really. If he does that he should be fine and I can't see him not winning this game. He's on the crest of a wave while James knows he can't qualify.
Barney's form all stems from Judgement Night and the fact that he managed to escape elimination. He all of sudden got a new lease of life. In my opinion he's read the situations better than a lot of the others. He and Michael van Gerwen know exactly where they stand week in, week out. Their heads are screwed on; they know what they're doing and have great awareness.
Prediction: I think James will go through the motions hoping for something to happen whereas Barney knows he needs to continue this winning streak. It's now five on the bounce and he will make it six because he's playing so well.
Adrian Lewis v Michael van Gerwen
Michael and Adrian are the two most exciting players on the planet, there's no doubt about it. But, I've got to say, in recent times Michael has just elevated to another level.
Back in July 2013 we thought there was going to be this ongoing rivalry where we had no idea who was going to win. Well, I'm afraid now Van Gerwen is the odds-on favourite every time they meet.
Michael said last week that he wanted to get to 24 points because that's what he did last year. Well a win would put him on 24 points with a week to spare.
Adrian needs urgency. He's said time and time again that in the Premier League he doesn't feel that urgency like he does in knockout tournaments.
Prediction: I don't think Adrian will get anything from this game but last time I said that he played Barney and averaged 113. We want Adrian to play well but I just don't think he'll beat Michael because he's the best player in the league and in the world.
Dave Chisnall v Stephen Bunting
Chisnall has been the surprise package of the season and he keeps on surprising and just keeps on playing well.
You're thinking: 'right, this bubble is going to burst and this is all going to stop'. Then you watch him play Phil Taylor and he's 3-0 down playing terrible darts before reeling off seven of the next eight playing delightfully well.
We know Chizzy has got this belief and he know he's got the ability. He's the best 180-hitter in the game now and I think he'll continue to go from strength-to-strength.
Even though Dave has looked like a potential winner no one has talked him up as one. If he carries on it could be a fact that Chizzy walks away with it and we're all left thinking, 'hold on a minute, what happened?'
The bottom line is that he's averaging 100 after 14 weeks and if he averages 100 in the play-offs he will walk away with the coveted trophy and I wouldn't back against him for one second.
Prediction: I think Chizzy will beat Bunting because Stephen has run his race. He's not played particularly great, he's taken some opportunities, but missed far too many doubles. Both men are from St Helens and good friends, I just think Chisnall is the best player and will therefore win.
You won't want to miss another exciting night of arrows. Watch Premier League Darts live on Sky Sports 1HD on Thursday from 7pm
Not a Sky Sports subscriber? Watch the Darts for £6.99 with a NOW TV Day Pass.
