Premier League Week 10

Posted: 08.04.13 in Tournament Analysis Blog category

The "excitement" of Judgement Night is over and we reflect on Wez's season and look forward to watching The Machine and Mighty Mike, twice!

What did you think of “Judgement Night”?  The script went to plan, Lewis and Whitlock both losing thus opening the door for either Anderson or The Warrior to stay at the party for at least another 5 weeks. Neither were up to the task though. The Flying Scotsman looked forlorn as his double trouble lingered for yet another week! Look away now if you are an “Ando” fan- 40 doubles hit from 143 attempts-just under 28%! Not good enough at this level.

The Warrior was lacking in Premier League experience was the verdict of the Sky pundits and to an extent they are right. We tipped Wez to be relegated because of our belief that due to The Warrior’s 20’ lean (plus or minus 10%-not very scientifically measured by me at an exhibition I was at the following night ) that when the pressure, nerves and competition stress hit him he finds it virtually impossible to replicate his lean exactly each throw. The result of this are short bouts of darts that lack the precision required to win consistently at the very highest level (Premier League and final stages of majors).

On the other hand Wez has achieved amazing things, which is probably why he has not addressed the issue. He came in to the game last week off winning a European Open Event (non televised!) and showed his skills at the exhibition he was at with Dave Chisnall that I attended in New Milton, Hampshire the following night! The Warrior nonchalantly popped in a 170 check out in and much to the amusement of the crowd hit four scores of 69 on the bounce using different combinations! Anyway, he is out of the Premier League, so you will have to go to an exhibition for any more crazy, crazy nights with Wesley!

April 11 - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Robert Thornton v Simon Whitlock
Adrian Lewis v James Wade
Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor
Andy Hamilton v Raymond van Barneveld
James Wade v Michael van Gerwen

The balance of the Premier League (5 weeks) has another twist as this week two players play twice and in week 11, 12 and 14 four players play twice. We have had this scenario in the past, when Mardle was ill and when Anderson had to temporarily withdraw last year. This opens an interesting angle on the pre-match preparation for the players playing twice.

This week it is just The Machine and Mighty Mike playing twice and they both clash in the last match of the night. Wade has been fantastic this year, his finishing outstanding, his pre match preparation has always fascinated me too. He will need all his car mechanic skills to ensure his oil or performance levels are right for both his games. If he is too well oiled or perhaps not enough (so to speak) for the last match this could prove costly.

James’s level of play for both his games may prove crucial for the bets I am looking at this week. It is not just the players that need to give the tweak in the fixture list some thought but also the bookies. For example Ladbrokes make Mighty Mike a huge 1/3 odds on favourite to hit the most 180’s on week 10. He is playing twice of course, double bubble!

The last 4 weeks he has hit on average 3 a game. That would give him 6 for the night. Only one player has equalled that (Whitlock) and only one beaten it, trouble is it was Mighty Mike with 7! But what if he has a bad night? Or a good night, imagine if he wins one of his games easily so has fewer chances of getting in the treble 20! The Thorn and Barney who are top of the 180 tree are 16/1 and 25/1 respectively to hit more 180’s than Van G in their one game than he does in two. A long shot on the face of it admittedly but anyone tempted?

Elsewhere The Machine V Jackpot looks interesting. Lewis avoided relegation and avoided the humiliation of becoming a 7/1 “loser” but looked ordinary against Barney despite a flattering average. Wade at 11/10 looks tempting to take the points but slightly more of a “sure thing” is to back Wade’s amazing ton plus finishing. He is 10/11 at Victor’s office to hit the highest checkout, I bet Maurice is going to fill his boots with that one!

The Thorn helped us again to a 2 out of 2 success last week and his match against The Wizard has potential from a check out perspective too. Whitlock has been inconsistent but can still find a big checkout as of course can The Thorn. Stan James offer 5/6 for a finish of over 118.5 bringing a Thorn 120 on his favourite tops very much in to the equation!

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