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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Darts legend Bobby George sends stark message to Luke Littler as he warns sensation he can ‘go from hero to zero quick'
LUKE LITTLER has been warned he could go from "hero to zero" by darts legend Bobby George. The darts sensation is world champion and ranks No2 in the world. Advertisement 2 Luke Littler has been warned he could go from hero to zero Credit: Getty 2 Bobby George sent the warning to Littler but also praised the youngster Credit: The Sun He is also one of the favourites to win the World Matchplay this weekend, which would be his fifth major in just his second year on the Pro Tour. George has been impressed by the youngster's displays, particularly his finishing ability. But he warned there is a danger in darts of going from hero to zero very quickly. He told SunSport: "Littler could go on and on because he's got youth on his side. Advertisement READ MORE ON LITTLER "But in darts, there's one thing in darts. You can be hero to zero quick. "You've got to keep on that dartboard. You've got to practice. They say well he doesn't practice. Well he's an idiot if he doesn't. "Personally. He's got to keep that muscle memory going. That's all it is. Because when you don't use it you lose it." George, 79, was full or praise for Advertisement Most read in Darts CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He continued: "The boy's a fantastic player obviously. His finishing. "He's unbelievable at double 10. You know he's just missed tops he's playing double 10. He's finishing really good. Darts icon Bobby George shows off amputated TOE he keeps in vodka after it was chopped off by 'big pair of nail cutters' "He can count good as well which is a good thing because a lot of youngsters don't count. He can learn to count." Advertisement
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Darts legend Bobby George sends stark message to Luke Littler as he warns sensation he can ‘go from hero to zero quick'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER has been warned he could go from "hero to zero" by darts legend Bobby George. The darts sensation is world champion and ranks No2 in the world. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Luke Littler has been warned he could go from hero to zero Credit: Getty 2 Bobby George sent the warning to Littler but also praised the youngster Credit: The Sun He is also one of the favourites to win the World Matchplay this weekend, which would be his fifth major in just his second year on the Pro Tour. George has been impressed by the youngster's displays, particularly his finishing ability. But he warned there is a danger in darts of going from hero to zero very quickly. He told SunSport: "Littler could go on and on because he's got youth on his side. READ MORE ON LITTLER LUKE LEARNER Littler fails driving theory for FOURTH TIME as star shares pic of results "But in darts, there's one thing in darts. You can be hero to zero quick. "You've got to keep on that dartboard. You've got to practice. They say well he doesn't practice. Well he's an idiot if he doesn't. "Personally. He's got to keep that muscle memory going. That's all it is. Because when you don't use it you lose it." George, 79, was full or praise for Littler too, highlighting a key area some players often overlook - counting. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He continued: "The boy's a fantastic player obviously. His finishing. "He's unbelievable at double 10. You know he's just missed tops he's playing double 10. He's finishing really good. Darts icon Bobby George shows off amputated TOE he keeps in vodka after it was chopped off by 'big pair of nail cutters' "He can count good as well which is a good thing because a lot of youngsters don't count. He can learn to count."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Darts legend Bobby George sends stark message to Luke Littler as he warns sensation he can ‘go from hero to zero quick'
LUKE LITTLER has been warned he could go from "hero to zero" by darts legend Bobby George. The darts sensation is world champion and ranks No2 in the world. 2 2 He is also one of the favourites to win the World Matchplay this weekend, which would be his fifth major in just his second year on the Pro Tour. George has been impressed by the youngster's displays, particularly his finishing ability. But he warned there is a danger in darts of going from hero to zero very quickly. He told SunSport: "Littler could go on and on because he's got youth on his side. "But in darts, there's one thing in darts. You can be hero to zero quick. "You've got to keep on that dartboard. You've got to practice. They say well he doesn't practice. Well he's an idiot if he doesn't. "Personally. He's got to keep that muscle memory going. That's all it is. Because when you don't use it you lose it." George, 79, was full or praise for Littler too, highlighting a key area some players often overlook - counting. He continued: "The boy's a fantastic player obviously. His finishing. "He's unbelievable at double 10. You know he's just missed tops he's playing double 10. He's finishing really good. "He can count good as well which is a good thing because a lot of youngsters don't count. He can learn to count."
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future
Smith has been on a downward spiral since winning being crowned champion of the world in 2023 IN TREBLE 'I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICHAEL SMITH might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Two-time major winner Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Michael Smith might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Credit: Getty St Helens thrower Smith sees his run of 60 consecutive appearances at televised ranked events ended. The 34-year-old sits outside the top 20 in the world following a run of poor form since his World Championship win at Ally Pally in early 2023. Former Players Championship Finals winner Nicholson believes Smith's absence from Winter Gardens next week is fair. He told talkSPORT: 'No, he shouldn't be there. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. READ MORE DARTS NEWS SMIRNOFF SLICE Darts icon Bobby George shows off amputated TOE he keeps in vodka 'If you look at the way Ryan Joyce qualified compared to Michael Smith — it's a big gap. 'We're not talking about something like when Mark Webster missed out on the Grand Prix by £50, which happened 14 years ago. 'That's a close call. This is £5,000. That's like making a final on the Pro Tour, or the equivalent of five first-round exits. It's not close.' Nicholson reckons the ProTour ranking system has given Smith a harsh but fair reminder that he needs to do more. 2 Former darts star Paul Nicholson has delved into Smith's downturn Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He added: 'The Pro Tour ranking system is actually very fair as a reflection of what Michael's done over the past 12 months. 'A lot of people forget—the Matchplay race started last July. It's a one-year ranking. He hasn't done enough to be in the top 16 of that list. So, as far as his absence goes — it's fair. Moment Michael Smith BREAKS dartboard in anger as he issues public apology 'And if Bully Boy had got in, looking at what Ryan Joyce has achieved over the last year — strong Euro Tour runs, consistent floor performances — it would probably be more controversial if Michael was in and Ryan was out.' 'The Asset' sees this as the perfect chance for Smith to reset his career. He revealed: 'I've got a strong opinion on this. I think this is a big opportunity for him. Every piece of adversity brings a chance. 'This is his chance to sit back this summer and ask, 'Where do I go from here? 'If he had scraped in, he might've just said, 'That's okay, we're still moving in the right direction.' He shouldn't be at the World Matchplay. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Paul Nicholson 'But now he has to step back and really think, 'What do we do now?'' Nicholson suggested that while Smith's talent is unquestionable, his hunger to win might not burn as fiercely as it once did. He said: 'I'd sit him down for two hours and just listen. 'I want to know how hungry he is. I want to know what he wants for the future — and I don't want the stock answers: 'I want to be world champion again,' or 'I want to win the Matchplay.' 'That's not going to happen when you're not in the field. 'Maybe he needs to take a step back and realise — he's no longer a Premier League player. 'He'll always be a world champion — that can't be taken away. But Michael van Gerwen said something very honest earlier this year: 'Judge me on the player I am now, not who I was five or six years ago.' 'Michael was spot on. We have to judge Michael Smith on who he is now, not who he was in 2023. 'So I want to hear how he talks about his career now, and what his genuine goals are. Because they have to be different than they were two years ago.' He's no longer a Premier League player. Paul Nicholson Nicholson says Smith needs to dig deeper than ever to rediscover his best form. He explained: 'We've had Michael on a pedestal for a long time. We know his skill level. And I think what we've praised most in the last 18 to 24 months is his ability to dig deep. 'That's how he became a Grand Slam and World Champion — by being more resilient. 'But this is a whole new level of digging deep. He might have to admit to himself, I'm not one of the top 32 players in the world right now despite what the rankings say. 'So he needs to ask: What got me there? What's going to get me back? What do I need to prioritise to return to being world number one? Hard questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be brutally honest.'
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future
MICHAEL SMITH might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Two-time major winner Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013. St Helens thrower Smith sees his run of 60 consecutive appearances at televised ranked events ended. The 34-year-old sits outside the top 20 in the world following a run of poor form since his World Championship win at Ally Pally in early 2023. Former Players Championship Finals winner Nicholson believes Smith's absence from Winter Gardens next week is fair. He told talkSPORT: 'No, he shouldn't be there. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. 'If you look at the way Ryan Joyce qualified compared to Michael Smith — it's a big gap. 'We're not talking about something like when Mark Webster missed out on the Grand Prix by £50, which happened 14 years ago. 'That's a close call. This is £5,000. That's like making a final on the Pro Tour, or the equivalent of five first-round exits. It's not close.' Nicholson reckons the ProTour ranking system has given Smith a harsh but fair reminder that he needs to do more. 2 He added: 'The Pro Tour ranking system is actually very fair as a reflection of what Michael's done over the past 12 months. 'A lot of people forget—the Matchplay race started last July. It's a one-year ranking. He hasn't done enough to be in the top 16 of that list. So, as far as his absence goes — it's fair. Moment Michael Smith BREAKS dartboard in anger as he issues public apology 'And if Bully Boy had got in, looking at what Ryan Joyce has achieved over the last year — strong Euro Tour runs, consistent floor performances — it would probably be more controversial if Michael was in and Ryan was out.' 'The Asset' sees this as the perfect chance for Smith to reset his career. He revealed: 'I've got a strong opinion on this. I think this is a big opportunity for him. Every piece of adversity brings a chance. 'This is his chance to sit back this summer and ask, 'Where do I go from here? 'If he had scraped in, he might've just said, 'That's okay, we're still moving in the right direction.' He shouldn't be at the World Matchplay. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Paul NicholsontalkSPORT 'But now he has to step back and really think, 'What do we do now?'' Nicholson suggested that while Smith's talent is unquestionable, his hunger to win might not burn as fiercely as it once did. He said: 'I'd sit him down for two hours and just listen. 'I want to know how hungry he is. I want to know what he wants for the future — and I don't want the stock answers: 'I want to be world champion again,' or 'I want to win the Matchplay.' 'That's not going to happen when you're not in the field. 'Maybe he needs to take a step back and realise — he's no longer a Premier League player. 'He'll always be a world champion — that can't be taken away. But Michael van Gerwen said something very honest earlier this year: 'Judge me on the player I am now, not who I was five or six years ago.' 'Michael was spot on. We have to judge Michael Smith on who he is now, not who he was in 2023. 'So I want to hear how he talks about his career now, and what his genuine goals are. Because they have to be different than they were two years ago.' He's no longer a Premier League player. Paul NicholsontalkSPORT Nicholson says Smith needs to dig deeper than ever to rediscover his best form. He explained: 'We've had Michael on a pedestal for a long time. We know his skill level. And I think what we've praised most in the last 18 to 24 months is his ability to dig deep. 'That's how he became a Grand Slam and World Champion — by being more resilient. 'But this is a whole new level of digging deep. He might have to admit to himself, I'm not one of the top 32 players in the world right now despite what the rankings say. 'So he needs to ask: What got me there? What's going to get me back? What do I need to prioritise to return to being world number one? Hard questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be brutally honest.' List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
