CULLEN UNCONVINCED BY GROWING COACHING SCENE IN DARTS

JOE CULLEN admits he remains unconvinced by the growing number of darts coaches emerging in the sport.

The former Masters champion says there are very few people he would trust in the role, naming Wayne Mardle as the standout figure currently offering guidance to players.

Cullen revealed he is not opposed to the idea but questioned whether some of those entering the field have the credentials to help professionals improve.

He told Winmau: “I wouldn’t be against it. But I think it is only Wayne [Mardle] the sort of reputable one at the minute.

“There are so many people trying to come through and do certain things. Maybe Glen [Durrant] but I have not seen much of his stuff.

“But I have seen a few of Wayne’s. I think it is difficult and there are people doing coaching courses but I am like, you can’t play the game.

“But then the other side of it, Roger Federer’s coach can’t play tennis, can he?

“There must be some sort of logic to it somewhere.”

The Rockstar also revealed he does not like playing against lanky opponents on the oche.

Cullen says height can actually impact his focus, as he often watches what his opponent is scoring while on stage.

He added: “It sounds weird actually, but I don’t like playing tall players. If I am playing Jonny [Clayton] I can see straight over his head.

“So, Jimmy van Schie, Mensur [Suljovic] is a big guy. Boris [Krcmar] there is a few big guys so you have to lurch to see what they are hitting.

“I don’t know. I think them players will say you don’t play the player you just play the board. It is so difficult to do.

“I remember when I was first coming through, the few big names if I drew Phil Taylor, you know you are playing Phil Taylor.

“You can say you are just playing the board but when a big chance comes, you know who you are playing.

“I think that is the biggest challenge in darts, the mental side of it far more than the technical side.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.