A confident Simon Whitlock is targeting a win against home favourite Robert Thornton as the Premier League Darts tournament moves towards the relegation stages at Glasgow’s SECC arena.
Following a 7-4 win against in-form James Wade, Whitlock succumbed to Andy Hamilton in a game that, had he won, would have secured his position in the top half of the table.
Now the Australian hopes to record his fourth win of the 2013 campaign despite the fact he expects the crowd to be cheering on his opponent.
A win would mean Whitlock remains on course to not only avoid being a victim of the newly-introduced relegation – the bottom two players will drop out after four more matches – but also to challenge for a top-four finish and an end-of-season play-off place.
He said: “Beating Robert is hard enough, without paying him in front of a Scottish crowd, but as an Australian plying my trade in England I’m used to the crowds not being in my favour – it makes me more determined to win.
“A win should be good enough to avoid relegation, although I’ll need to be at my best to secure the two points.
“This is the crucial part of the Premier League and nerves are bound to be a problem, it’s just making sure you keep calm and hit the doubles.”
Just two points separate Whitlock in seventh from 16-times world champion Phil Taylor in third spot, although he is only one point ahead of Gary Anderson in one of the relegation spots.
“The new concept of relegation is keeping all the players on their toes and the league table is very tight,” added Whitlock.
“We’re all capable of beating each other, which is probably why so many games have been drawn. I just need to concentrate on my own game and get that win.”
Whitlock’s game against Thornton is the second match of the evening on Thursday.
Copy courtesy of Leyland Paints.
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC