CROSS BACKS ROCKY TO BOUNCE BACK
25/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
By Phil Lanning
ROB CROSS insists that his pal Rocky can still pack a PUNCH in the Premier League.
The 2018 world champion is convinced that Josh Rock can recover from a slow start to still reach the play-offs at the O2 in London in late May.
Rock, 24, is making his debut in the Premier League but has failed to win a match after three weeks. Now he faces Gian van Veen on home soil in Belfast on Thursday night.
Cross told Oche180: “I know Josh probably better than anyone and there’s a reason why he’s called Rocky, he’s a tough little fighter.
“It was probably always going to be a hard start for him. It takes a couple of weeks to get used to the hype of the Premier League.
“I remember how much it took out of me in my first year in 2018. You have to get used to being away much more, it messes up your practice routines and balancing it with Pro Tours and Euro Tours is really hard.
“Just this past week or so, he’s hardly been home after Glasgow then Poland then Leicester and straight to Belfast.
“Trust me it takes some getting used to. But Rocky is a tough little battler.
“He’ll find his feet and come out swinging and land some punches.
“There’s no easy matches. Gian is another toughie this week. But Josh is due a result and when he does, he’ll take some stopping. He can still recover to make the top four.”
Cross also believes that tabletopper Jonny Clayton is “no mug”.
The Welshman revealed he’d been dubbed ‘Grandad’ by his Premier rivals.
But Cross added: “He’ll love the banter, he’s a great bloke. But he’ll also love being underestimated. Everyone is talking about the Lukes Littler and Humphries. Then it’s (Michael) Van Gerwen or Gezzy (Price).
“Jonny is perfectly capable of going all the way and winning this at the O2. He’s no mug and knows he can go under the radar.”
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Image by TAYLOR LANNING.
