The 'stacked' Quarter Finals line-up had me suggesting earlier on twitter (https://twitter.com/TheSportsDean) that there would be few arguments should the PDC decide to give all eight quarter finalists a spot in the Premier League this year. However other things always have to be taken into account, including previous tournament performances, and I would suggest who the audiences want to see or would be entertained by. Previous installments of the Premier League have seen Klaasen and Mardle given spots I would suggest more for entertainment reasons, whilst Painter famously jumped the queue after his 2011 Players Championships Finals victory.
The Criteria:
- The Top Four players in the PDC Order of Merit (OOM).
- Four Wildcard picks.
PDC OOM
Taken from www.dartsdatabase.co.uk on 28th December (inc. 2013 earning pre-Quarter Finals)
1 Phil Taylor England +£581,100
2 Adrian Lewis England +£359,100
3 James Wade England +£310,500
4 Simon Whitlock Australia +£274,000
5 Michael van Gerwen Holland +£249,300
6 Andy Hamilton England +£242,500
7 Wes Newton England +£237,400
8 Dave Chisnall England £185,000
9 Justin Pipe England £184,400
10 Raymond van Barneveld Holland +£168,800
11 Gary Anderson Scotland £160,700
12 Kevin Painter England £155,200
13 Mervyn King England £150,300
14 Paul Nicholson Australia £143,900
15 Robert Thornton Scotland £141,200
16 Terry Jenkins England £140,700
Above I have listed the projected PDC top 16 after the World Championships. This list shows some players that could be described as certainties, some that are almost there, two guaranteed wildcards and a number of fringe players. Some fringe possibilities also sit outside of this list and in some cases the organisation.
Lets discuss the four certainties. Amazingly this isn't based on the current top 4 of the PDC OOM, but those who will not drop out, plus the two form/must watch players.
Guarantee #1 Phil Taylor. Simply as long as he's playing he will have a wildcard at the very least. He is still 'The Man' however, and sits at no.1 in the world. Taylor's in - no doubt about it.
Guarantee #2 Adrian Lewis. Fifteen consecutive victories at Ally Pally and 2011 & 2012 World Champion. Not a form player by any means, but one World title in the last two calendar years gives a player enough of a cushion to make the top 4 in the order of merit. Lewis is in, and who is to say with his recent Ally Pally record that it won't be as 2013 World Champion too.
Guarantee #3 Michael van Gerwen. One of the form players, and maybe the man everyone wants to see right now. World Grand Prix Champion, Grand Slam of Darts Runner Up, numerous victories on the Pro Tour this year - MVG has a wildcard spot. That's a certainty!
Guarantee #4 Raymond van Barneveld. It's been debatable over the last few years. Should 'Barney' get a spot? This year it most certainly not. The 2012 Grand Slam of Darts ended a five year singles title drought, his confidence and form is there for everyone to see. When he saw the draw he thought it would be difficult... for his opponents. Barney's guaranteed a spot.
Who is pretty much there?
#5 Is James Wade. He sits at no.3 in the PDC OOM. Surprisingly some may say, but as ever Wade does the job quietly and has remained at no.3 almost unchallenged. Unless a combination of Hamilton and MVG/Newton come make it through to the final/win the tournament, then Wade is safe in the top 4. Needless to say, should he drop to five, previously that's also been enough to earn a wildcard spot.
#6 Is Simon Whitlock. Also occupying an automatic spot, sitting at no.4 in the PDC OOM no one would argue against Whitlock. A two times World Finalist and winner of the European Championship in 2012, even with a tough game in the quarter finals versus 'Barney' few would argue against the Beard to be Feared getting a Premier League spot. Top four looks likely, a wildcard would surely be guaranteed should he drop out of the automatic spots.
This leaves two spots -and I've listed the contenders below:
Firstly let me dismiss a few players who may (or may not) get a mention; but in my opinion have almost no chance.
Mark Webster may have the British representative argument on his side, and has a good resume. Former BDO World Champion and Premier League participant, and very close already to claiming a PDC major (Players Championships Finals 2011) however 2012 hasn't been a good year. Webster won't make it.
Equally Terry Jenkins, whilst showing a game on occasions that would frighten most of the top stars, is falling down the rankings and not doing it as consistently as his seven major finals runner up spots would suggest he would. The 'Raging Bull' needs to find something in 2013 to reignite his challenge for major titles, and for that reason he won't be considered.
Justin Pipe is the projected no.9 in the World (but with RVB breathing down his neck) and has had a great two years or so, but despite his obvious ability is not one that catches the eye. Unfortunately his slow style has made a few breath a sigh of relief that Mark Walsh ended his Premier League challenge. Only an automatic spot will seemingly ever get 'The Force' into the elite Premier League tournament.
I won't completely dismiss Paul Nicholson as he is very entertaining to watch, and I believe would bring something to the Premier League. However a less than successful 2012 surely rules him out. Personally I wouldn't mind him being given a spot though - but that's a personal preference.
So, the contenders for the final two spots in no particular order:
Gary Anderson may have done himself out of an automatic spot after a toothless defeat to 'Barney', however his big scoring, dare I say nationality (with big crowds North of the border) and previous Premier League win does see Anderson as a true contender for one of the remaining two spots. However it is completely out of his hands, and Hamilton and Newton for example could completely rule him out with runs to the final.
Robert Thornton ticks the North of the border criteria like Anderson, however he could argue that the 'Painter' spot means that he is a far more likely candidate for the final position. Thornton is a two time major winner now, having won the 2012 UK Open and previously winning the World Masters tournament in the BDO, which suggests that Thornton is of the calibre to compete in the Premier League company. You could argue that a new Scot and fresh face could spice things up a little bit too, but for me Anderson has the edge over Thornton for his previous exploits in the Premier League.
Dave Chisnall has had a great year on the floor, and a few excellent performances in the majors since dumping 'The Power' out of the 2011 World Championships. I also have no doubt that Chisnall should be seen as a future Major winner, and has the scoring and game to entertain the crowds, however consistency has been a problem for Chisnall and a few may question whether fans will take to his lack of ability on the microphone. That said, Sky barely catch up with players if they don't need to - so it wouldn't be a problem. I feel that consistency on the TV will damage the argument for Chisnall, but personally would not be disappointed to see him in the line-up. Quality contests would be guaranteed. No one fancies playing Chisnall in my opinion.
Andy Hamilton has been the model of consistency since his amazing comeback against Simon Whitlock at last years World Matchplay. A World Championships Final Runners-Up spot last year and other good runs in the TV majors sees him highly ranked at a provisional number 6 in the World. His run to the Premier League semi finals during his 2012 debut year also makes 'The Hammer' a true contender, but like the next 'contender' Hamilton still has it in his own hands. A very tough ask with Taylor sitting in the Quarter Finals and Barney or Whitlock potential semi final opponents, but a run to the final could see Hamilton catapult himself into the automatic positions. Unlikely, but possible.
Wes Newton is another player with a strong argument for inclusion, and again one not many fans could argue against. Newton has been called a 'Major Winner in waiting' and already has close calls with UK Open and European Champion Runner-Up spots in the last two calendar years. Like Hamilton, Newton could guarantee himself a spot in the Premier League with a run to the final and other results going in his favour. I would argue that Newton finds himself in the easier side of the draw as it currently stands and is actually more likely than Hamilton to take his chance. Once again a very tough ask with Wade, and MVG/Lewis standing ahead of him - but achievable given his form over the past two years.
Dean Winstanley is my personal wildcard pick as a contender for the Premier League. Although ranked a lowly 42 in the PDC OOM compared to other contenders, in under a year 'Deano' has made a great impression in the PDC, has made several TV majors, having great runs and thrown a Nine-Dart leg during the World Championships. Deano's big scoring , coupled with his BDO resume (World Championship Runner Up) in my eyes sees him as an outsider. Although some may call it a leap of faith, I feel that 'Over The Top' would tick the entertainment and great darts boxes. For me Dean Winstanley deserves to be mentioned and is the one who has done something at the World Championships that gives him a chance.
Not to be ruled out:
The BDO World Champion.
The four spots made available in the PDC Pro Tour to Lakeside Semi-Finalists makes the Lakeside winner a viable candidate. In recent years the champion has remained with the BDO, however positive comments about the Grand Slam of Darts by some BDO players has made this something to never be ruled out. Four players would tick the box should they win it in my opinion.
Scott Waites is maybe the best known to PDC crowds due to his Grand Slam of Darts exploits. Waites has proven that he could thrive rather than just live in the PDC. Probably the 'Big Name' BDO player that could make a real impact in the Premier League and contest the top four places, should he win the Lakeside he should be one to consider.
Stephen Bunting is the form player in the BDO this year. He has already won the World Masters and Zuiderduin Masters tournaments this year. A Hat-trick of big BDO titles would fully confirm his credentials, however it would still be a leap of faith for the PDC to offer a spot to 'The Bullet' as Premier League crowds will be unfamiliar with the big Liverpudlian. Unlikely in my opinion, even with Champion vs Champion possibilities on at least two occasions during the Premier League.
Christian Kist made a solid showing in the Grand Slam of Darts in 2012. He is also the defending BDO World Champion, and clearly in with a real shout of defending his title. Two wins in two years would heighten his credentials when we discuss a Premier League Wildcard spot. For me this would have him up there as a favourite, particularly with champion vs champion nights a real possibility.
Tony O'Shea is a crowd favourite, a recognisable face and has one of, if not THE best entrance in Darts. Still highly competitive in the BDO, a transition to the elite PDC would surely round off an impressive career for the 'Silverback'. His allegiance to the WDF's version of the England team remains a roadblock to him ever switching codes, but Premier League nights would certainly benefit from the DJ Otzi treatment. Highly unlikely, but would be very entertaining.
My two picks:
Based on previous performances in the Premier League (Winner 2011) and his big scoring and potential in 2013 Gary Anderson would get a spot.
I would also take a leap of faith and give Dean Winstanley a wildcard. Contentious I'm sure, especially as others have had better years, but for me the Premier League is more about entertainment than solid performances, and for that reason the big scoring, high checkout potential, winning mentality and great personality of Winstanley would make me want to buy a ticket.
This said - if Waites or Kist wins the BDO World Title and wants in... it would be tough to take the 'leap of faith'.
Who would be your picks and why?
