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Premier League “will make or break me” admits Gary Anderson
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Premier League “will make or break me” admits Gary Anderson

Jamie Shaw in Live Darts TV 06 Feb 2020
Anderson aims to resurrect his career at the top level (Photo by Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Gary Anderson admits the 2020 Premier League will “make or break” him as he looks to get his career back on track.

Anderson returns to the Premier League after withdrawing from last year’s elite invitational through injury and is part of a stellar nine-man line-up.

The Flying Scotsman has twice claimed this title, in 2011 and 2015, and is embarking on his ninth Unibet Premier League campaign.

After returning from a back injury in March last year, Anderson struggled to make an impact in major events, with the Grand Slam providing his only Quarter-Final appearance.

However, a run to the Semi-Finals of last week’s Masters, which included a 10-2 rout of rival Gerwyn Price, has offered Anderson renewed hope of recapturing his best form in 2020.

“Did I miss it last year? Yes. Did I not miss it? Yes,” Anderson told Live Darts. “It was a bit 50/50.

“It’s been a terrible year.

“There are signs my darts are coming back but this [Premier League] is going to make or break me.

“It’s either going to get my game back or destroy me, one of the two, but I’m looking forward to it.

“Last year I couldn’t get myself to a practice board, never mind a match board, but 2020 is a new start and with the Premier League I’ll be playing constantly.

“Hopefully I’ll find my game somewhere along the line.”

Anderson is 9/1 with sponsors Unibet to lift the Premier League trophy for a third time, and after showing glimpses of his vintage best, is quietly confident he can mount a challenge.

He added: “I’ve not really been playing and they’re just nicking wins against me so it’s got to come back.

“I like to play at my best and it’s not been there.

“Before, it used to really annoy me but it’s not been getting to me.

“I just want to get my game back and play how I used to play.

“It’s not been far away, I just need to tidy up on a few things.”

Anderson is one of three Scotsmen in action on the opening night of the tournament in Aberdeen and is looking to add to his promising record on home soil.

The world number six has won nine and drawn one of his last eleven Premier League matches north of the border and starts out against Daryl Gurney at the all-new P&J Live.

“It’s going to be a good night in Aberdeen,” added Anderson.

“I’ll be a bit nervous for that game.

“You’ve got myself, Peter as World Champion and John Henderson after the walk-on he got last year which was absolutely fantastic.

“Daryl is a great player so hopefully we can kick off well and get into a rhythm.”