MARDLE QUESTIONS PRICE MENTALITY AHEAD OF O2 PLAY-OFFS

WAYNE MARDLE has questioned whether Gerwyn Price is in the right place mentally ahead of next week’s Premier League play-offs.

The Iceman finished fourth in the table and will face league leader Luke Littler in a blockbuster semi-final showdown at the O2.

World No8 Price has enjoyed a strong campaign overall and picked up two Nightly victories during the league phase.

But concerns have emerged over Price’s recent form after repeatedly speaking about health issues and pulling out from the last NINE Players Championship events.

Price’s most recent nightly victory came back on Week Nine, although he still produced flashes of brilliance in Sheffield on Thursday evening.

The former world champion averaged a stunning 105.97 in a 6-2 quarter-final win over Gian van Veen before losing 6-3 to Stephen Bunting.

Mardle admits he believes Price’s recent comments and withdrawals may have affected his confidence heading into Finals Night.

He said: “When Gerwyn Price enters a darts tournament he knows he can win it.

“The whole world knows he can and I believe that. All I’m thinking right now is at the start of the Premier League and going into the last five weeks he has talked himself down.

“He has talked himself down and says he has health issues. He is pulling out of events left, right and centre.

“I am wondering now if this is the flattest he has been all Premier League.

“He has never been in danger of not making the play-offs here. Maybe for a millisecond but he is always in a good position.

“His brilliance will always see him through in the end.

“I just feel right now Humphries will feel he is in a better spot than he is. As will Jonny Clayton and Luke Littler.

“But that doesn’t mean Gezzy can’t win next week and if anyone writes him off they are idiots.”