Happy greetings of the season to all readers. I had a very quiet Xmas at home in Pudsey with the family and as others took mulled wine and stronger quaffs, I mulled over the overview of the World Championships.
Some lads – young lads at that – are looking like shaking up the barrel for Taylor and Barney. Mardle looked like the real deal in the last match before the break and Kevin Painter was on fire on Wednesday against Mason. Kevin looks smooth and choc-a-bloc with self-confidence. And James Wade and Adie Lewis are still in the mix. But the revelation has been Alex Roy who was at his flamboyant best against Andy Hamilton. There was no posing about the Ace of Herts who played with a rare hard-faced professionalism and won through.
STARS ON A TIGHTROPE
The papers today went on about Barney and his psych, and the mantras he must repeat before big games. His manager Ed de Veer says these cannot help within a match but must be employed well before a contest begins. Plus, Barney is still trying ‘Taylor’ shots on the 60-bed that I think he has not mastered. So look out for a worried-looking Raymond…
Phil has not been at his merciless best…yet. I have talked to him and his camp and they swear the Power will flow now he has two tough games out of the way. Phil told me himself that he is carefully taking psychological and dietary advice and balancing them up. He admits he has gone overboard before with ‘regimes’.
And psychology may hold the key to who wins The Big One on New Year’s Day . The chasing pack sense that Phil and Ray have smidgeons of doubt; so they are snapping like hungry foxes outside the Ally Pally coop.
So look out for cackling and crackling darts and the spitting of feathers.