Taylors On A Winner Says Bristow

Eric Bristow says Phil Taylor is a worthy favourite for the forthcoming PDC World Darts Championships - but feels James Wade is worth an outside bet.

The former world champion, now a TV pundit, feels Taylor has proved his critics wrong with another outstanding season after losing in the quarter-finals to Mark Webster at the Alexandra Palace 12 months ago.
'The Power' has captured the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts titles so far in 2011.
"You write him off at your peril," said Bristow, who won the world title five years during his playing career.
"He seems very happy at the moment.
"It's hard when you are not the reigning world champion. It would have hurt him (to lose last year).
"But he's lost before and he's bounced back.
"Sometimes people just play well against you. You've got to take it on the chin and I'm sure he'll be ready for this."

Tough

Bristow added on Sky Sports News Radio: "He's properly dedicated - he flies off to Tenerife and just practises for six, seven hours a day.
"He's got an easy first game in the Worlds - he's got one of the qualifiers. Dave Chisnall will be a tough game over a short format in the second round. I think if he gets through that he will be fine."
Asked if he had any outside picks to challenge for the crown, Bristow chose Wade as a possible threat.
Wade has endured a rollercoaster season, at one point checking into the Priory clinic to deal with problems away from the game, but that isn't putting off the 'Crafty Cockney'.
"I've a sneaky feeling this year for Wade," he added.
"He's won every other major tournament there is, but he's never really had a run at the Worlds.

"He's too good a player not to have a good run at the Worlds one year, so I'm going to have an outside bet on Mr Wade this year."