Sky Sports hold a Q&A with the Premier League Darts stars ahead of the new season
Thursday 5 February 2015 10:34, UK
Sky Sports sat down with the Premier League’s 10 players for a chat about what’s on their mind…
Will you win it?
Live Premier League Darts
Phil Taylor: I’ve never worked this hard in my life. I know I can win, but I can’t relax, I’ve still got so much motivation, it’s how I was raised.
Raymond van Barneveld: I feel like the champion but only because I won last week. To me, it doesn’t matter that I won last year.
Stephen Bunting: I’m smashing the board up with my new darts!
Gary Anderson: The last couple of years I’ve started enjoying my darts again. If you enjoy it, it makes life easier. Do you ever wake up in the morning and not want to go to work? I felt like that, I had a few personal problems. That’s settled down and so has my game.
James Wade: I’m not here to fill up a number. I know I have done, and can do it. Everything at home is right now. My problems are more in keep now.
Michael van Gerwen: I see they are all great players but listen, I am great as well. I believe in myself, in this opportunity, and I know I can play well.
Dave Chisnall: If you can’t perform against these guys then you shouldn’t be here. Everyone here can do it; it’s a question of who does it on the night. Even the best need a good win to reassure themselves.
Peter Wright: I like to entertain, the crowd have a good time, so why can’t I? I don’t think about balancing it with competition, it’s natural. I see how the crowd react; if they want me to do something I’ll do it.
How competitive will this season be?
MVG: I know I am one of the favourites but Wade, Taylor and Anderson have won this before. They can do it again.
Anderson: I don’t like being one of the favourites. It’s added pressure, any of these lads can win it. Over the last five years there’s been a big change, you see that in averages.
I’m apprehensive, it’s like the first day back at school and I’m the new boy.
Taylor: I’ve got the record but would absolutely love more.
Wade: I’m apprehensive, it’s like the first day back at school and I’m the new boy. The standard goes up every year but the players are relevant to that standard.
Kim Huybrechts: The hardest test I have is Anderson in Scotland, with his crowd. It will be very hard not to listen to them.
Adrian Lewis: It’s going to get even more competitive with the youths coming through like Keegan Brown. He’ll be here soon.
How is your form? Do you remember last season…
Barney: It was a proud moment for me last year, holding that trophy, in front of all these great players.
Wright: Last year I had toothache for two weeks, couldn’t get a dentist appointment, and played two games in one day feeling awful.
Anderson: Life hasn’t changed because I’m world champion. That tournament has passed now, onto the next one.
Wade: I don’t fire on confidence, I’m a drifter. If I play well, then great, and if I don’t…
Taylor: I had new darts that needed tweaking. That drove me crazy, I practiced my socks off.
Lewis: I played beneath myself. It was strange, really. But I don’t have bad memories. I hit a nine-darter recently. I always wanted to do that but I’ve got different goals now.
What will the fans and atmosphere bring?
Chisnall: In terms of the crowds, the first night is the hardest and then it gets easier – but the competition gets harder.
Wright: The first time I walked into these big arenas I said: “Oh my God! How can the people at the top see me on stage?” It’s still nerve-wracking going into that immense audience. I don’t want to let them down.
Lewis: You know where you are by the football shirts.
Taylor: If it gets to you, you shouldn’t be playing.
Anderson: The crowd are here for a good night and we’re here to give them that. Bunting and Huybrechts will be in front of crowds they’ve never witnessed before – my first time, I made a mess of it.
Huybrechts: Sometimes they’ll be against you which is a learning curve. My first time I wanted to go backstage again but you get used to it.
Is travelling stressful?
Taylor: Not as stressful as the traffic…
Anderson: It’s stressful living out of a suitcase for 16 weeks. But the crowds make it worth it. If 11,000 people don’t give you a lift, you’re in trouble.
Barney: It’s a lot of energy coming from Amsterdam. But I won’t stay here - home sweet home, your own couch, wife and kids.
Wade: It’s difficult but I’m falling back in love with darts now.
Tell us something funny
Bunting: I was at home watching telly when Barry Hearn announced I’d be in the Premier League! I didn’t know. I ran around the room in celebration!
MVG: I very rarely watch darts. I’ve got better things to do, haven’t I?
Taylor: I travel when Coronation Street is on because the roads are quieter.
Huybrechts: I had been hoping ‘don’t play Anderson in Scotland’. But I looked at the fixtures and I am. They’ll all support him!
Watch the opening round of the Premier League live on Sky Sports 1 on Thursday from 7pm
