Gary Anderson felt the force of a Michael van Gerwen backlash, says Wayne Mardle
Friday 12 February 2016 06:45, UK
Michael van Gerwen took out his Premier League frustrations on Gary Anderson on night two in Newcastle, says Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle.
The world No 1 suffered an opening night loss to James Wade, but the Dutchman responded with a blistering 7-3 win over the returning champion Anderson at the Metro Radio Arena.
After missing his first match through illness, Anderson felt the full force of Van Gerwen's backlash as the 'Green Machine' ended with an impressive 111 average.
Mardle believes Van Gerwen displayed a steely determination on the stage and has kick-started his campaign in style.
"I was sitting in the commentary box and normally me and Michael have a bit of a chat, but he just didn't want to know," Mardle told Sky Sports.
"He was completely focused and I said to Rod Studd: 'He could do a job here.'
"He looked different, he looked like he wanted to put it right and funnily enough that's what he said. He was disappointed with last week's result. He's back up and running again.
"He doesn't play badly for long. He's like one of the true champions that have bad performances and never follow it with another."
Taylor also put last week's defeat to Raymond van Barneveld behind him during a vintage 7-1 thrashing of James Wade.
'The Power' also ended with a 111 average, but his composed finishing was equally impressive and he had a 70 per cent success rate at the doubles.
Mardle said: "He gave James Wade no opportunities whatsoever and James at the end was completely beaten, black and blue.
"I kind of felt for James at the end because he doesn't normally give up like that, but Phil just made him submit.
"We keep saying that, that's what he needs. He needs that confidence boost every single time.
"He's not as mentally strong as he used to be and the others are slightly stronger, so that's why he goes on more now about James trying to speed him up - 'I knew what he was trying to do'.
"When he plays like that, you cannot write the man off, it's just impossible."
