Premier League 2019

[SolidSCB]

Again, in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really bother me as the PL is a bit of a non-event to me these days, but it could easily revived. It's just a bit of a shame that of all the options they could have taken with this 'opportunity', they've taken what to me is one of the least desirable.

For example, if they'd have added Duzza as the 10th man, it definitely would have interested me enough to watch at least the first 3 or 4 weeks, just to see how he'd get on in that environment. I say that as someone who isn't even remotely a fan of the guy either.

[Zeyes]

It's even reflected on this very forum. There's a reason there's a "Where do you think Glen Durrant will rank in 2 years" thread and not one for guys like Hendo. There's a genuine interest in seeing where Glen is going to end up and how he's going to do. Why not capitalise on that?

I just find it a bit stupid.

Err, didn't you just say you're against gimmicking the PL? Putting in Durrant for the whole haul would be the ultimate gimmick. At least the local heroes thing is a time tested marketing approach, and putting in some young guys fits in with the PDC's longterm plans.

[thegentle]

Maybe they are running the Premier League into the ground, but as long as it rakes in the money (and as long as there's enough meaningful action all year to keep us nerds satisfied), it'll continue being what it is. If (and it's a big if), these young players can gain some tangible benefit from it, then I think the gamble will have paid off

[SolidSCB]

Putting Durrant in would not be a gimmick. Whether he ends up floundering in the PDC in the end or not, right now there is genuine interest in seeing him play in PDC TV events playing against the best PDC players and is one of the only players in the world who hasn't had the mystique smashed out of him by being slippered by MvG on the tour 25-30 times.

[Zeyes]

Well, I'm just amazed how quickly the whole "Durrant's so boring to watch that he wouldn't add anything to televised PDC events even if he's averaging 98 in every game" narrative has been cast aside just because Gary Anderson has an ouchy back.

Durrant as a full-time PL player in his debut PDC season like he's the second coming of van Barneveld? GTFO, seriously. And the "well, he'll never be good enough to make it into the PL the regular way" justification is just the worst, given the aforementioned low-charisma charge that's been levelled at him for the last few years. What are his relevant attributes to deserve such selection, then? And before anyone brings up his three Lakeside titles - hell, even Durrant himself doesn't appear to think that those count for anything re: the PDC. People would be sick of the Sky drones talking about it like it's a big deal by the third hour this Thursday.

[SolidSCB]

Again, let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of the guy, nor do I think that ultimately he will end up anywhere near the top in the PDC.

We all know the BDO is largely a joke, but he's won 3 Lakesides on the bounce and he was the most talked about player during Q-School. He's still got a bit about him unlike all the other players who we've seen get peppered at a canter by MvG 20-odd times. Each game would be pretty new and fresh. If he finishes low down the table then so be it, the PDC gets a little bit of marketability out of him while they still can. While I don't see him winning the thing I certainly don't think it would be a complete embarrassment so the competition isn't farcical and every player already given a spot in the PL then gets the same opponent, putting everyone on equal standing.

[Rogg]

So many different, hard ideas as to what the PL 'should be about', with anything and everything existing or suggested being labelled as a gimmick. To what extent the Premier League has ever actually been about the things some people say it is about... who knows. Nobody wants to examine the previous 14 editions for all the areas where it upset somebody. Well I say that...

Every time a match ends in a draw you'll find someone on twidder moaning for a start. What about the year where a player got to 7-0 and they played another 5 legs? That will have been somebody's golden age. Simpler times, I suspect. I remain puzzled by how deadly seriously people seem able to take the whole thing. Sure people just want to make it better but that's exactly what the PDC has done here, to my taste. And there's the point.

[Rogg]

I'm going home now. Leave me alone. Wanna do a #SurviveTheDarts game for this year's PL?

[SolidSCB]

As for the 'why are you so bothered?' stuff. I mean that's quite obvious, I like darts. I like darts enough to sign up to a darts forum and talk about darts, which considering it seems to be the same 8 or 9 people screaming across 3 forums pretty much puts us all in a very small bracket of 'takes darts a bit more seriously than your average Joe'.

So to wonder why a clearly polarizing decicion is creating a pretty polarizing discussion on the subject is a bit daft. If you like the idea, then fine, more power to you, I'm glad you'll enjoy it.

[SolidSCB]

Although if anyone actually liked the 'dead legs get played' era of the PL, then sorry, you're wrong. Unless it was one of those matches where Taylor was going for a whitewash and you could see the other player squirming.

[Rogg]

As for the 'why are you so bothered?' stuff. I mean that's quite obvious, I like darts. I like darts enough to sign up to a darts forum and talk about darts, which considering it seems to be the same 8 or 9 people screaming across 3 forums pretty much puts us all in a very small bracket of 'takes darts a bit more seriously than your average Joe'.

So to wonder why a clearly polarizing decicion is creating a pretty polarizing discussion on the subject is a bit daft. If you like the idea, then fine, more power to you, I'm glad you'll enjoy it.

Thanks. I was referring to 'people' in a much wider sense. I am surprised by the reaction from the general not-dorks. I'll lecture the old lady at the bus stop if they make changes to the ranking events and I have monthly breakdowns over the Grand Slam but the PL is the one tournament that I've given very little thought to in the last few years. It was just, sort of, there.

[Gidra]

Well, I'm just amazed how quickly the whole "Durrant's so boring to watch that he wouldn't add anything to televised PDC events even if he's averaging 98 in every game" narrative has been cast aside just because Gary Anderson has an ouchy back.

Durrant as a full-time PL player in his debut PDC season like he's the second coming of van Barneveld? GTFO, seriously. And the "well, he'll never be good enough to make it into the PL the regular way" justification is just the worst, given the aforementioned low-charisma charge that's been levelled at him for the last few years. What are his relevant attributes to deserve such selection, then? And before anyone brings up his three Lakeshite titles - hell, even Durrant himself doesn't appear to think that those count for anything re: the PDC. People would be sick of the Sky drones talking about it like it's a big deal by the third hour this Thursday.

+1000000000

[SolidSCB]

Oh, absolutely. I'm of the same mindset. It's a thing, it's there, great.

I would just like to be able to get into it again. Weekly darts on TV should be savoured.

[Zeyes]

Thanks. I was referring to 'people' in a much wider sense. I am surprised by the reaction from the general not-dorks. I'll lecture the old lady at the bus stop if they make changes to the ranking events and I have monthly breakdowns over the Grand Slam but the PL is the one tournament that I've given very little thought to in the last few years. It was just, sort of, there.

I don't think the non-dork reactions on Twitter and the like are much more than people being pissed that their personal fave didn't get picked as the replacement(s). And there's probably also the latent viralness / internet mob aspect. This is the kind of thing about which even the most clueless idiot will feel compelled to have an opinion, just because it's something that (looks like it) can be described in "this is good" / "this is not good" terms.

[Rogg]

Thanks. I was referring to 'people' in a much wider sense. I am surprised by the reaction from the general not-dorks. I'll lecture the old lady at the bus stop if they make changes to the ranking events and I have monthly breakdowns over the Grand Slam but the PL is the one tournament that I've given very little thought to in the last few years. It was just, sort of, there.

I don't think the non-dork reactions on Twitter and the like are much more than people being pissed that their personal fave didn't get picked as the replacement(s). And there's probably also the latent viralness / internet mob aspect. This is the kind of thing about which even the most clueless idiot will feel compelled to have an opinion, just because it's something that (looks like it) can be described in "this is good" / "this is not good" terms.

I of all people should have a much better handle on clueless idiots is what you're saying. +1

[BeppeBergomi]

My take on this

If there is a person who should be gutted with regards Gary's withdrawal that has to be me who was going to spend some quid to cross the whole of Europe, (remember Malta is four hours flight from Glasgow), to watch my favourite player play at home, (I still have Cross however in the mix).

On the other hand if Gary's in pain, it's better like this than having a go and risk aggravating his injury apart from getting big losses left right and centre.

With regards the Contender choice I wholly agree with it. It gives a chance to the guests to show whether they have the mettle to make it to this very League in the future.

Besides, a consolation for me is that I will be watching Durrant in action as it's going to be him to replace Gary in Glasgow next week.

Bring on next Thursday for the start of another Premier League.

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That's mighty gracious of you, if I were you I'd be sulking left, right and centre!

A certain degree of disappointment exists however I have to see the whole picure at this point.

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[Potter's Lake]

The PL funds the tour, it's a glorified exbo, more players = more nights = more money*, 100+ players more deserving than Durrant on merit but only a handful more of a draw (and they're all in anyway), the PDC are cunts. Think that covers everything.

* In response to going back to less than ten

[sennafan24]

I'm going home now. Leave me alone. Wanna do a #SurviveTheDarts game for this year's PL?

Yes

[Captain Hobo]

I'm going home now. Leave me alone. Wanna do a #SurviveTheDarts game for this year's PL?

Well come on then..

[Rogg]

I'm going home now. Leave me alone. Wanna do a #SurviveTheDarts game for this year's PL?

Well come on then..