Matchplay Magic
Mike Glover Previews The 2014 World Matchplay
with Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld securing victory
in all but one of this years televised tournaments.
Expect more of the same from the pairing, who are fresh off their
World Cup Of Darts triumph, and don’t be surprised if the trophy is
heading back over the North Sea come 27th July.
Photo: Mike Glover/UK Darts Magazine
Rest assured there will be at least one top notch Dutch player in the
latter stages of the tournament again this year.
The Scotsmen
Peter Wright and Robert Thornton come into the tournament fresh
from securing Scotland’s best ever finish in the World Cup Of Darts and
the pair will be looking to continue their good form when they return
to the TV screens.
Gary Anderson, who will perhaps be smarting after failing to qualify
for the Scotland team, will also be looking to continue the good form
that saw him reach the Premier League play-offs in May, and the form
that the Flying Scotsman is in I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him
lifting the trophy
A Taylor Fightback
Taylor’s form has been hit and miss this season. There is no doubt he
still has what it takes to win, but at times he has seemed nervous.
One thing is for sure though, Phil Taylor loves the Winter Gardens. The
Power is unbeaten in Blackpool since Terry Jenkins beat him in 2007
and if there is a tournament that he will surge back to the forefront of
the darting elite then this will be it.
Watch out for a determined Taylor! He will have a big run, of that there
can be no doubt!
A Resurgent Wade
James Wade was perhaps understandably somewhat upset by his
omission from the Premier League this year and whilst Wade reacted
well publically to the decision there must be a part of him that is ready
to rip it up and show what he can do in Blackpool.
Certainly in Dubai recently he seemed to have regained the hunger for
darts that had perhaps been lacking from his game over recent times.
Wade was the last person other than Phil Taylor to win in Blackpool
back in 2007 and he has been runner-up to Taylor three times since.
Rest assured he has the talent to win this tournament and he should be
there or there abouts come the second weekend.
Photo: Mike Glover/UK Darts Magazine