Anderson puts defeat down to nerves

Gary Anderson will aim to bounce back from last week’s defeat on home turf to Simon Whitlock when he faces James Wade in the Premier League Darts on Thursday (Anderson 5/6 to win match with bet365).

Anderson was unable to send the boisterous Glasgow crowd home happy, succumbing to the ‘Wizard from Oz’ after mounting a spirited challenge.

The Scotsman says that the defeat was not down to a lack of effort or ability, but admits that the pressure of the occasion had an adverse effect on his game.

“I’ve been playing 16 years and I was shaking like a leaf. I just wanted to play so well for the fans, they were incredible,” said Anderson, who sits sixth in the table.

“About two legs into the match I went to pick up my water and I almost spilt it because I was shaking so much.”

The defeat to Whitlock was Anderson’s second in as many weeks and is a major setback in his quest to defend his Premier League title (Anderson 14/1 to finish top of Darts Premier League with bet365).

“One week I’m great, the next I’m terrible. I can’t work it out, it’s the worst I’ve played in my entire career.

“It’s just so annoying that I let the fans down, I played like a muppet, and I’m very keen to put things right next week against James Wade.”

Forty-one-year-old Anderson has enjoyed a decorated career in darts since turning professional in 2000. He is perhaps best known for his victory over Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in the 2007 World Darts Trophy final.

Power plots play-offs surge

Phil Taylor (8/15 in Darts Premier League – To Win Outright with bet365) admits the Premier League is starting to come to life as the players head to Dublin for the seventh round of matches.

Undefeated Taylor is well on course to book himself a place in the semi-final at the O2 Arena in May as the competition marks its halfway stage tonight.

“We are getting down to the nitty gritty,” said the 15 time World Champion. “We are nearly at the halfway stage everybody is feeling the pressure.”

Taylor went four points clear of the rest in Glasgow last week as he recorded his fifth straight win since his opening-night draw with rival Lewis.

Taylor (2/7 in Match Betting) faces in-form James Wade (5/1, Draw 6/1) – the 2009 champion having recovering from losing his opening three games by posting an equivalent number of back-to-back victories.

“It’s coming good and I’m getting the rub of the green,” said Wade. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad game against Phil, but he does it week in, week out.”

Simon Whitlock (1/3 in Winner – 2 Way) moved into second spot with a stunning win over crowd favourite Gary Anderson in Glasgow last week.

The former world finalist could close in on a semi berth by beating Premier League newcomer Andy Hamilton (9/4), whose only win remains that opening-night shock over Wade.

Popular Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld (5/6) takes on Scotland’s Anderson (5/6), while winless Adrian Lewis (4/9) can get his campaign on track with a win over veteran Kevin Painter (13/8).

Anderson predicts ‘Power’ failure

Reigning champion Gary Anderson is relishing the chance to inflict a first defeat this season on Phil Taylor when the Premier League Darts arrives in Brighton for week five (Taylor 1/5 Anderson 10/3 – bet365 match prices).

‘The Flying Scotsman’ suffered an opening night defeat to tournament newcomer Kevin Painter in week one but has since returned to the form which saw him win the marquee competition 12 months ago, with wins against Andy Hamilton, James Wade, and most impressive of all, two-time PDC World Darts champion Adrian Lewis.

Now, the ultimate tests awaits on the south coast in the shape of the 15-time world champion and unbeaten Taylor (Taylor 8/11 Anderson 9/2 – Premier League Darts outright bet365).

“I’m pleased with how my game’s coming back but I’ll have to be at my best in Brighton,” said Anderson. “Phil’s playing some brilliant darts at the moment and setting the standard for us all.”

‘The Power’ hit the highest average in the history of the Premier League when he recorded a 117.35 total in his 8-4 win over Simon Whitlock in Exeter last week and Anderson knows he is up against it.

He added: “My aim is to hit a 120-plus average on stage, because I’ve done it in practice recently, and I might have to do that to defeat Phil. But averages won’t matter on Thursday if I can get a result.”

Taylor cranks up pressure on Whitlock

Phil Taylor believes Simon Whitlock is feeling the pressure as he prepares to take on the Australian in round four of the Premier League Darts in Exeter (Whitlock 3/1, Taylor 2/9 – match prices with bet365).

The pair meet at the Westpoint Arena on Thursday evening in a repeat of the 2010 World Championship final, which Taylor won 7-3.

Taylor goes into the game top of the table with two wins and a draw from his opening three games (10/11f with bet365 – Premier League Darts 2012 Outright).

After a dramatic opening draw with Raymond van Barneveld, Whitlock beat 2009 champion James Wade in week two but crashed to a defeat against Kevin Painter last time out to drop down to fifth place.

Taylor feels that is sign the Aussie is feeling the pressure and he hopes to take advantage of that on Thursday.

“Simon’s a top quality player but he showed last week that he was feeling a bit of pressure when he lost to Kevin Painter in Belfast,” said ‘The Power’.

“I’ve got to go out and put him under pressure from the start and make him think about the week before, which will make it hard for him.”

In the other games, Painter plays Wade, van Barneveld takes on Andy Hamilton while reigning Premier League champion Gary Anderson is up against Adrian Lewis.

Anderson prepared for long haul

Reigning champion Gary Anderson has warned he will not give up his Premier League darts crown without a fight (11/8 Anderson – not to reach the semi-finals with bet365).

‘The Flying Scotsman’ begins the defence of his title in Manchester on Thursday against debutant Kevin Painter (9/4 to finish bottom with bet365) on the first of 14 nights at venues around the UK and Ireland.

The 15-time world champion Phil Taylor is the 15/8 favourite with bet365 to win the showpiece event for a sixth time but Anderson, available to back at 9/2, says he is ready to prove his win last year was no fluke.

“Last year’s Premier League was a great memory for me,” said Anderson. “I had a fantastic first season and to win the title capped it off.”

Painter was handed a wild-card to compete in the Premier League for the first time after winning his first major title at December’s Players Championship and Anderson accepts he faces an awkward test of his credentials.

He added: “I know it’s going to be hard to defend it because this field of players is really strong, but I’m looking forward to it. Kevin’s going to be a tough player to play first on Thursday but I’ll give it my best shot.”