On the back of the previous two posts you might get the impression I really don't like Taylor this year even though i am his biggest fan. I have read a couple of interviews in the local stoke paper and a radio interview on the local radio station and he just seems resigned to not being able to compete at the real top level any more. I have never heard him speak like this before. I think he knows the game and business he has effectively built single handedly for 20 years is over for him now. He said 'I would have loved to play MVG in my prime because it would have been an incredible game'. Stuff like this just makes him sound defeated before he starts to me. This is his first season ever without a tv major and he really shouldn't be 2nd fav for this event tbh on anything other than the Phil Taylor 'badge'. Lewis has stuck up for his old mucker and said 'Phil isn't gone at the game it is just that the others have caught him up'. I don't really buy into this either.
Three players with big pressure on them this year due to the 2 year rolling prize money world rankings are Wright, Lewis and Whitlock. They all made the semis in 2014 (Wright finalled) so they have big money to defend this year to protect their rankings (£50k for semis/£100k for final from 2014). Conversely Taylor went out in the 2nd round in 2014 so has nothing to defend.
Whitlock will be the biggest loser unless he miracles another deep run. His gambling/drinking demons will have caught up with his world ranking after this event and it is highly likely he will fall outside the top 16 for the start of next season. He will know this totally and the impact of his future draws/earnings from next year onwards and will definitely be feeling the pressure and i would strongly be looking to oppose in most markets.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/35015787http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/35060049Couple of interesting articles here. Anderson just doesn't have that killer instinct if you read his comments in these for me. He talks like a happy man having already won the worlds. Whereas Taylor and MVG just want to keep winning relentlessly.
RIP Whitlock at the elite level! Proper choke job tonight from 2-0 up. Hope you followed me in guys! You can really see his drinking in his face imo. GL getting back in the top 16 Wizard you will need it.
chunks done at 1.01 in running. bf forum warriors saying 'that's another chunk paid off his debt' assuming he is throwing matches to pay off his gambling issues.
The kid who beat him could play VVDV over 9 sets and the match would be done in 20 minutes the speed he throws at.
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