PDC World Darts Championship 2008

[Bigkegman]

Painter has been very impressive but I think hes the sort of player that thinks about his game too much and if somebody does put him under a lot of pressure he could 'self destruct' and start getting annoyed within himself - if he can control that they i see him with a major chance.

Lewis seems to be doing ok but yesterday when he asked to go of stage for a 'comfort' break the crowd turned on him and this seemed to really worry him. He played well in that set but i dont think he'll have slept well and if the crowd get behind Painter again and not Lewis then Painter is as good as a penalty kick.

I think Manley will have enough experience to take Shepherd. Wade hasn't been feeling great and his play has shown that as he seems to play in short spurts (oooeeer mrs). Part said he was uncomfortable last night on the 'hot' stage but seems to think playing this afternoon will help. Both may be sweating like rapists at the end of this affair.

Taylor is struggling and Mardle will be looking for to avenge the Semi Final defeat 6-5 on New Years Day 2006. This seemed to blow the wind right out of mardles sails and this has been in the back of his mind since then and he will be quietly confident to get revenge but with Taylor you never know.

I'm still unsure who to bet but sticking my neck out Manley to win a scrappy game, Part to beat a sick Wade, Taylor to just get himself over the line again, last game is going to be tight but but but but - Painter.

2/5 P Manley 7/4 K Shepherd 13:10
4/6 J Wade 11/10 J Part 15:00
1/6 P Taylor 7/2 W Mardle 19:00
8/11 A Lewis evens Kevin Painter 21:00

[Hippy Dave]

Part, Lewis, Wade and Taylor all have plenty still to come, while Painter seems at the top of his game. Can't see him winning this whole thing, Taylor Wade final still looking likely IMO.

Manley should crush Shephard, who has been handed victory against Jenkins and McGowan. He did improve against Bates. Manley's averaged 90, 89 and 88 so far, and is 100 levels above in terms of experience on the big stage too.

The 2/5 on Manley has now gone, but still 8/11 -1.5 sets.

Taylor has scraped through, but his average has been improving from 91 to 96. Mardle has done well, but is not the player of a few years back going by his late 80s averages.

Wade has always been my tip for the tournament, but he's got a tough task today, and the 6/5 on Part does look big on the face of it. However, Wade has a habit of strolling through the early round without impressing, before exploding in the big matches, so I'll be leaving this one alone.

Lewis v Painter, you'd have to give Painter a slight edge, but Lewis is finding a way of winning matches when he's not playing as well (or should I say consistently) as his opponents, so another no bet in what should contest Part v Wade for match of the day.

[Yen_Sid]

Originally Posted by Bigkegman

2/5 P Manley 7/4 K Shepherd 13:10
4/6 J Wade 11/10 J Part 15:00
1/6 P Taylor 7/2 W Mardle 19:00
8/11 A Lewis evens Kevin Painter 21:00

Personally I think the first 3 games will go as the bookies expect, Lewis/Painter a coin flip for me. If Lewis hits top gear then I'd expect him to take it with ease but Painter also a big force as he proved last night against a slightly under par Barney.

The power definitely seems to be struggling this year and unless he finds an extra gear then I can't see him adding to his titles, however I think Mardle is one of a big crowd of them who are beaten before they even reach the stage against Phil. On current form it should be close but I'd be surprised if Mardle won.

Can't really comment on the Wade/Part game as I've not watched either of them so far. Big Manley has been impressive and seems to be gathering momentum the further he goes. Shepherd has done well but as Manley pointed out last night in his interview he's played people who have missed doubles. Easy win for Manley for me.

[Yen_Sid]

Easy win for Manley for me.

My tipping powers uo to their usual standard.

Shepherd levels at 3-3.

[DAN DAN]

Originally Posted by Yen_Sid

Shepherd has done well but as Manley pointed out last night in his interview he's played people who have missed doubles.

He should have kept his mouth shut on that one then

[ONEDUNME]

Never heard of Shepherd before today. Just seen him interviewed and he sounds like a big fat thick Southern poof.

I'm not saying he is. He just sounds like one.

I'm please he got through because with Joey Barton being locked up and Andy Murray being shit I was running out of people to hate.

Sorted

[Beanie]

Staggering day's darts - every match 5-4!!!!

And now Taylor out!!! Get in - great shout on Mardle Slick - and that leaves me with Mardle @ 85.00s, Painter @ 65.00s and Part @ 55.00s on the outrights

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Awesome Beanie

I fancy Part from here on in - has the experience of winning this before and it shall keep him in good stead IMO.

I am backing Lewis to begin with @ 2.27 tonight. 50/50 for me this so the value is obviously then with Lewis. Looking to trade back and forth though if given the chance

[Beanie]

Would think you will get the chance - every match has looked 50/50 so far - that's darts for you!

I like Part overall too - today was his worst performance by a mile, but he still found a way to win. Wouldn't exactly be surprised to see Mardle beaten by Shepherd - the young lad is mince, and I've no idea how he beat Manley, but Mardle can be hopeless at times and if he's ever gonna be that it'll be in a match where the pressure is on, esp after beating Taylor.

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by Beanie

3pts Baxter@ 1.98 v Dudbridge

Risk 1pts Lay Van Barneveld @ 1.12 v Clark

That wis nae good.

Anyway, Lewis never gets out of first gear as Painter cruises through 5-2 leaving 3 of the 4 semi finalists alive on the outrights - the only danger now young mincer Kirk Shepherd.

Odds still look doable - lets fire the stats into a spreadsheet and see who's coming up trumps...

On averages, Part looks like top of the tree. He's the only one to be consistently in the 90s, and even today when he looked out of sorts against Wade he came through with a 94+ average.

Painter had similar stats in rounds 1,2 and 3, but dropped a level today, throwing at only 85 v Lewis. He has the big scores in him, but on the big stage today, did the occasion get to him a little, or could he have gone up a gear if pressed by Lewis?

Mardle improved today and chucked 92 v Taylor, under immense pressure. However, he lacks the ability to hit the really consistent, high scores. As strongly as he finished, he was very poor early on, and it was really once the pressure was off that he found his groove, but did well to maintain it till the finish.

Shepherd has improved consistently, rising to the occasion each time. He showed few nerves today v Manley - he knows little is expected of him and even though he has been a little fortunate to progress this far, he should give Mardle a good game, but has a little to find if he is to win.

But its not all about averages - the rest of the jigsaw is usually made up of consistent doubles, and a lot of bottle.

Part has been there, done that. He has handled big games countless times before, hits doubles consistently, finds a way to win. He isn't the unknown in the Part v Painter match.

Painter has been brilliant so far, until today...was it the occasion? Difficult to tell - he still hit most of his doubles and closed out a comfortable win, but that drop in performance wont cut it v Part who'll come at him from first dart to last. Temperament questionable.

Mardle is hit and miss, can be brilliant but can also be woeful. Hits his doubles well enough, and comes through many a tight match - how he deals with being such an overwhelming fav for this one will be key.

Shepherd hasn't looked under pressure so far, but a semi final is sure to test that to the full. As much as Mardle could feel the pinch as he realises just how close the world final is, as soon as Shep turns round and thinks 'OH FUCK, THIS IS THE WORLD CHAMPS' the bottom could fall out of his game.

At the moment, I'm leaning towards Part against Painter, and Mardle to win by 1 or 2 sets, with more than a scare or two along the way, but not 100% sure so any advice appreciated!

[Hippy Dave]

Part's the best player left, if only for his ability to consistenly take out big checkouts under pressure.

[MYDOGDYLAN]

Well that my first and last foray into darts betting i think i'll give up while i'm still behind

[ONEDUNME]

[slick]

Have to agree on Part looking the best player to come through from the quarters but i still think Painter has a lot to offer, he looked fcuked yesterday , no doubt from a late night after beating Barnie and playing a lame Lewis didnt really inspire him.

Part looked composed but even he at times began to struggle when put under pressure, I have a feeling this match will bring out the best in both players and the winner will go on to lift the title.

I'm still sticking with Painter as if he puts in another display like he did against Barnevald then i see nobody stopping him.

The other semi should be a shoe in for Mardle as Shepherd as been let off the hook far to often and so long as Mardle doesnt take anything for granted and start chucking lazy arrows he should stroll this.

[slick]

and that leaves me with Mardle @ 85.00s, Painter @ 65.00s and Part @ 55.00s on the outrights

Nice one Beanie, I know nothings ever certain but thats as close as it gets .