Anderson admits he’s stuck in a “rut”

By Phil Lanning

GARY ANDERSON admits he’s in a Premier League “rut” before facing protege Michael Smith.

The Flying Scotsman has remarkably only won five matches in 11 nights before their quarter-final clash in Dublin.

Ando, 51, is bottom of the league and takes on Smith who is just one place above him and without a win in five weeks. 

He said: “Michael’s been in a couple of finals this season and we all know how good he can be.

“It’s a few weeks now since he’s won and he’s in a bit of a rut, similar to me, and it’s hard to get out of it.

“Even winning your first game one night can change things around but the more you lose the harder it gets.

“If you get a couple of results, all of a sudden things can change the other way. The way this Premier League’s gone, if you get a shot and don’t take it you’re bang in trouble and we both know that.

“I always seem to turn up and play well against Michael – even in some of the floor tournaments we’ve had some brilliant matches.”

Despite the grim record in the league, Anderson has far from written off his chances with the Glasgow night just a week away.

He added: If you can win the next three weeks then it’s 15 points and I know I’m right in the mix for the Play-Offs.

“If I play like I did the night that I won in Nottingham then I’ll be okay – it’s just that those nights are too few and far between at the moment.

“We’re both down there in the table – if it wasn’t for us the table would collapse! But it’s always competitive against Michael because we want to get the bragging rights against each other.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.