Michael van Gerwen must be avoided in the Premier League Play-Offs, says Wayne Mardle
Top four are confirmed - but which way around?
Tuesday 19 May 2015 13:30, UK
We're heading to Brighton seaside and Wayne Mardle explains why the top players must do everything they can to avoid Michael van Gerwen in the Play-Offs!
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
Wayne said: Michael, like Phil, is a rarity. You speak to him after he wins a championship and he just speaks about winning the next one. Other players talk about having a rest. Michael is a different type of human being, a professional who knows everything about this sport.
Make no mistake, Van Gerwen wants to top the table. The Premier League is two competitions for him. It hurt him last year when he topped the table for a second consecutive year (he did it in his debut year then repeated it) but didn’t win the title. What’s the point in topping the league?
For me, that shows he understands darts. He understands the importance of drawing instead of losing when you can’t win.
But Chizzy has turned into this fantastic match player who doesn’t take his foot off the gas or rely on natural ability. He has become a proper pro with no tendencies to celebrate a victory too much.
Prediction: This will go to the last leg and it wouldn’t surprise me if it were a draw. But I hope not! Who wants to see a draw?
Remember, these players are liars! If they say ‘I don’t care who I play’ then I’ll call them liars, live on Sky Sports! Nobody wants to play Van Gerwen.
Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
Wayne said: Remember, these players are liars! If they say ‘I don’t care who I play’ then I’ll call them liars, live on Sky Sports! Nobody wants to play Van Gerwen.
Players in the play-offs will want to finish as high as possible. If you’re 2-1 behind, your only thoughts are the game but if you’re 4-1 behind, you think about your league position. If Anderson loses and comes fourth, he’ll be thinking about playing Michael Van Gerwen in the play-offs because he’ll probably win in Brighton. If Anderson is winning, he’ll be thinking about Barney’s result - all this runs through your mind.
Prediction: After winning last week, Anderson will be too clued up for these mind games. He’ll get on with the game without thinking. Lewis averaged 103 last week, and the last time he did that, he averaged 93 the following week.
Raymond van Barneveld v Stephen Bunting
Wayne said: Barney is just going to steam-roll everyone and win the whole thing, isn’t he? But here’s my theory - at no point this season has Bunting looked relaxed, even when he wins. It’s over for him so maybe he’ll stop trying to impress everyone.
This will make me sound utterly ridiculous but Barney, in the last three weeks, hasn’t played that well! He hasn’t lost but he hasn’t set the board alight.
Prediction: I spoke to Bunting last week and he said he’s trying too hard. This week he won’t, and I suggest he’ll win this match. Hopefully he’ll be back in the Premier League next year to build on it.
Live Premier League Darts
Phil Taylor v James Wade
Wayne said: Imagine getting a 102 average over 15 games and not qualifying for the top four, what is the world coming to? Phil has played fantastically and not won whereas in previous years he would have. That’s because these players don’t buckle under pressure like I used to!
Imagine getting a 102 average over 15 games and not qualifying for the top four, what is the world coming to?
Wade looks disinterested one leg, then interested in the next. I can’t read him, and his doubles haven’t been as good as they used to be. Generally speaking, his scoring isn’t the best part of his game so if Wade doesn’t hit at least 50 per cent of his doubles he might get walloped by Phil.
Prediction: Phil will win because he’s the better player. I’m not suggesting 7-0 but maybe 7-2…
Check out Premier League Darts in Brighton on Thursday at 7pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.
