BUNTING FACING MOUNTING PRESSURE IN PREMIER LEAGUE
12/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
STEPHEN BUNTING has a point to prove in this year’s Premier League, according to ex-pro Matt Edgar.
‘The Bullet’ lost 6-2 to Michael van Gerwen in his opening game of the major tournament despite averaging 97.59 in Newcastle.
World No.7 Bunting failed to win his opening seven games in the weekly roadshow last campaign before picking up a nightly victory.
Edgar believes the public perception surrounding Bunting has changed and warns the situation could spiral if the pressure from fans continues to intensify.
He told OLBG: “The environment is not the same as last year. He went into it and we hadn’t seen Stephen Bunting for a long time.
“There was a lot of leeway among fan perception. We gave him a lot of leeway when analysing because he is playing good darts.
“But the fans, and certainly the Premier League fans, are an elitist audience. All they care about is who wins.
“That is an elitist fan mentality. With Stephen Bunting, we have seen that he is getting a lot of negativity.
“To the point where he comes out and thinks, ‘Right, I’ve got a point to prove here.’
“If he doesn’t get that across very early, the negativity is going to rise. He is someone who indulges in that and is aware of it.
“I’ve got concerns here. I give him four weeks. If he isn’t performing after four weeks and getting those results, this could be a disastrous season.”
Darts content creator Charlie Murphy reckons the pressure is mounting on the Liverpudlian thrower.
He added: “I think night one was very important for Stephen Bunting and it didn’t go his way.
“Michael van Gerwen was good but I think Stephen Bunting needs the confidence and next week is going to be absolutely crucial for him.
“It can’t go on like last year, getting no wins for seven weeks before he picked up a victory.
“He cannot leave it that late. He is not playing bad darts. He is one of the best players in the world.
“He needs the confidence to get the wins.”
Bunting returns to action this evening in the Premier League and will face Jonny Clayton.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
