ROCK WARNED TO FIX MENTAL GAME AFTER PREMIER LEAGUE NIGHTMARE

JOSH ROCK has been warned to fix the mental side of his game after another nightmare night in the Premier League.

‘Rocky’ is enduring a miserable campaign and has now lost all six of his matches, leaving him rooted to the bottom of the table. 

The Antrim thrower’s latest setback came in Nottingham last night where he was thrashed 6-1 by Stephen Bunting. 

Former pro Wayne Mardle suggested Rock may be putting too much pressure on himself when it comes to the weekly roadshow. 

He said: “He has to get something going. It was another poor performance. 

“There is a mental side to this now. I think I can say this with a little bit of authority – he is playing Thursdays. 

“He is seeing Thursdays as something else. Why did he perform at the UK Open? Because he is not worried.

“He is worried about performing on a Thursday. He wants to put it right so you end up making a big mountain of it.” 

Mardle admitted he recognised the situation from his own playing career, warning that a run of defeats can quickly spiral. 

He added: “I’ve been there where you are losing game after game and sometimes you feel like you are not quite good enough. 

“He isn’t there yet because he is a world-class operator. But each time you lose you have to wait a whole week to put it right. 

“It’s easier said than done but I think Josh just needs to relax on a Thursday. He needs to try and play his game. 

“It is ridiculous to say it but that is what he needs to do.” 

Rock returns to action on Saturday at the European Darts Trophy where he faces either Cameron Menzies or Paul Krohne in round two.

Image by Taylor Lanning.