There’s only 1 Gerwinner
GARY ANDERSON is convinced his protege Michael Smith can do what he couldn’t and halt Michael van Gerwen’s thundering charge towards a third World Championship crown.
The Scottish star had his own hat-trick bid ruined by the Dutch destroyer in a one-sided Sunday semi-final demolition.
But having seen “Bully Boy” Smith produce a stunning display of his own in the other semi-final against Nathan Aspinall, Anderson believes his stablemate can go all the way and complete the job.
The 28-year-old is aiming for a first triumph in tonight’s showpiece shootout and Anderson said: “I’ll tell you what, van Gerwen is up against it after I sat and watched young Nathan and Michael.
“People were talking about me and van Gerwen? Forget that game, talk about the two youngsters. They were fantastic.
“I know I lost and played Michael but Michael Smith’s my boy and van Gerwen is in for a hard time. I reckon it could be a licking just like what I got if Michael plays like that again.
“When you watch Michael, he’s a Phil Taylor. Darts is his life, he loves it, he loves going practising four, five, six hours.
“We know what the kid’s like. If he goes up there and plays like he did in his semi we’ve got a new world champion.
“I’ve been banging on about him for 10 years and he’s finally got there so I’m over the moon for him. Nathan will be as sick as a pig but needs to sit back and think of what he’s done because he’s been absolutely mustard. So have Chris Dobey, Ryan Searle, Ryan Joyce, Luke Humphries. They’ve put a show on.
“If you want a Premier League get rid of the old yins and stick all these youngsters in it. You’ll cause an upset. These boys have learned their trade and they’re good.”
Anderson will see the Sid Waddell Trophy in someone else’s hands tonight but will look back on a successful 2018 which yielded a host of major wins such as the UK Open, World Matchplay and the Champions League.
The 48-year-old said: “I’ve qualified for all TV tournaments for next year, probably two years. I’m going to do the Pro Tour and that’s all I’m doing. So I ain’t retiring, I’m taking it a wee bit easier.”
Van Gerwen is up against it GARY ANDERSON