Betway's Alan Alger grabs a few words with World Darts Champion Gary Anderson ahead of the upcoming Betway Premier League
AA: Gary Anderson. World Champion. How does that feel?
GA: I’ve barely had time to think about it, to be honest! I’ve been chock-a-block since.
AA: So it hasn’t sunk in yet?
GA: No, not really. But i’m not one for overthinking about things. It’s on to the next tournament for me.
AA: The Betway Premier League is just on the horizon. You won the Premier League in 2011, where does that rank among your best achievements?
GA: It’s got to be top. It was my first, but I have two [that I’d consider my best achievements] now because I’ve got the World Darts trophy. I beat Phil in the final, and just to even beat him at all is fantastic on it’s own, because he’s the best in the world and always will be. But to win the Premier League at Wembley was special.
AA: After the lows of 2012 and 2013, you came back with a bang last year in the Betway Premier League. Going into the semi-finals, nobody was in better form – except maybe Phil. Did that ultimately work against both of you?
GA: It’s hard to say. I was enjoying my darts. When I’m playing that it does make it easier. But I don’t know, I was just happy to get to the semi-finals.
AA: Do you think there’s anyone who’s been unlucky not to make the 10-man Betway Premier League line up this year?
GA: Robert Thornton.
AA: Is there anywhere that’s not included on the 16-week tour that you’d like to be included next time round?
GA: We could do with another Scottish one. Edinburgh.
AA: What’s the best thing about the Betway Premier League format for you?
GA: You can afford to lose a game but still go on to win it.
AA: When do you prefer to play your games; earlier or later?
GA: I like to go on second to last.
AA: You see teams in the ‘other’ Premier League set targets to avoid relegation. What’s your target for avoiding elimination on Judgement Night in Manchester on April 2nd?
GA: That’s a tough one. You just have to get there, that’s the main thing. Make sure your still involved in the last stretch of the tournament, that’s all there is to it, really.
9/2 – Gary Anderson to win the Betway Premier League
‘The Flying Scotsman’ Gary Anderson takes on Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor on the opening night of Betway Premier League Darts, live on Sky Sports Thursday 5 February.
