MARDLE WARNS PRESSURE ON SEVERAL PREMIER LEAGUE STARS

WAYNE MARDLE believes Stephen Bunting, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen are all under huge pressure to perform in the Premier League.

Former pro Mardle questioned the inclusion of ‘The Bullet’ despite a solid season and feels others had a stronger claim.

The Sky Sports pundit feels Bunting disappointed last year after the St Helens thrower failed to progress beyond the third round in his last SIX major tournaments.

Mardle reckons the spotlight is on Humphries after his World Championship quarter-final exit to Gian van Veen — his fifth straight loss to the Dutchman — as well as Van Gerwen, who missed out on the Premier League play-offs last season.

He said: “I am slightly surprised at Stephen Bunting. He has had a decent enough year, but just not as good as some, in my opinion.

“He can consider himself a little fortunate. He played okay in the Premier League, the results just didn’t go his way — especially for the first eight weeks, where he didn’t win a game.

“You can’t argue with any of them in terms of ability, but Stephen Bunting will be the one who breathes a huge sigh of relief.

“I think there is pressure on three players. Stephen, yes, 100 per cent — whoever gets in as the last pick.

“I also think there is pressure on Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries.

“I think Luke Humphries needs to re-establish himself because he didn’t make the World final and Gian sorted him out in the quarter-finals.

“I think that he will want to put it right. I think there is pressure on Michael van Gerwen. Two years ago, he won four weeks in the Premier League.

“Last year, he didn’t make the play-offs and he didn’t win a week.

“I think he needs to hit the ground running, and there is pressure on him to perform.”

Mardle also says Danny Noppert was unfortunate to miss out and questioned what more the former UK Open winner needs to do.

Noppert reached the semi-finals of FOUR PDC Premier events and also made a Euro Tour final.

He added: “I think Danny Noppert has been really unlucky. He has reached the semi-finals of four majors.

“Nathan Aspinall I felt had a squeak. Danny Noppert is the one I feel, what does he have to do?

“He won the UK Open a few years ago and since then he has got better and better. Maybe he has to reach a final or he has to win one.

“Stephen has not done that this year, but he has a massive following. He is the people’s champion, don’t forget.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.

2026 BetMGM Premier League Field

Luke Littler

Luke Humphries

Gian van Veen

Michael van Gerwen

Jonny Clayton

Stephen Bunting

Josh Rock

Gerwyn Price