Premier League Qualification - Time for a Change?

[billyd]

I suggested this in a different thread:

I would do what they had to do a couple of years back when Mardle pulled out, have a league of 7 and have a new player every week play an exhibition against someone. Has Ted Hankey earned his way into the Premier League this year? No. Do Sky want him on their TV screens and may generate more interest at the venue? Yes and maybe

Split the 8th or 7th place pot 14 ways as their "appearance fee"

Profile a new BDO switcher, have Webster play in Cardiff, give Manley a last hurrah against Taylor, give someone who generally deserves it that probably wont make the cut ala Pipe a shot, its hard enough to be involved as it is if your not Top 4 or your name isnt Raymond van Barneveld. i feel the possibilities are endless.

[GtotheF]

Crusader!

Barney's still not a top class player?

[Chizzyfan]

Basically it is time to do whatever they can to get Chizzy in. I suggest Barney out, Chizzy in. Or Anderson out Chizzy in as they are similar players.

[Chizzyfan]

Whats up with everyone's hatred of Barney? He's ranked 2 in the pro tour order of merit and I'd much rather see him play in the PL than someone like Newton or Pipe.

I have no hatred for Barney, I just think the number 1 should get in instead of the number 2.

[foggs3355]

the PDL need aan overhall i would have 12 player top 8 ranked 4 wildcards play each other 1 time over 11 weeks have a quaters finals night before finals night all games best of 10 legs 6 games in a night so you see a few quick fire games

[Basgooner]

Top 4 in World Rankings

Taylor
Lewis
Wade
Newton

Now I am assuming this could well change before the PL

Players who deserve to be in

Hamilton
MVG
Whitlock

Players that should be in

Anderson
Chisnall

Players that dont deserve to be in

Barneveld

[GRAYISALEGEND]

Barney is interested in the PL and puts bums on seats in 50% of the venues. Fact

[Tristan]

Barney is interested in the PL and puts bums on seats in 50% of the venues. Fact

That may be true, however, but Barney really doesn't deserve to be in the PL on the basis of his performances. He's a legend and the 2nd biggest draw in darts (Lewis and Wade are still way behind). His commercial value and fan favourite status are hard to replace and therefore he is always a candidate for the PL.

I don't think he should be included however.

Top 4 will most likely look like this: Taylor, Lewis, Wade, Newton.

Wildcards (certainties): Whitlock, winner of world grandprix (at the very least as pdc picks)

Potential wildcards: An unqualified finalist at the world championships, Barney, Anderson, Thornton,

No go's (if nothing changes): Pipe, Chisnall, Hankey

I would be suprised if Barney is in the PL next year (unless he performs well on TV in the gsod or wc).

[sammylad]

As much as I like them Barney and Anderson shouldn't be in the PL. You would see the best of (and the crowds would LOVE) Chizzy and Hankey, if they got picked??

[Tristan]

As much as I like them Barney and Anderson shouldn't be in the PL. You would see the best of (and the crowds would LOVE) Chizzy and Hankey, if they got picked??

Hankey has done nothing, but would be a fan favourite (although he wouldn't be competitive).

Chisnall is competitive but no fan favourite imo... Needs to win something big to be in.

[Murphio]

There is zero chance of Sky not picking Barney as one of their wildcards - none. He is a cash cow. Get over it.

[Chizzyfan]

As much as I like them Barney and Anderson shouldn't be in the PL. You would see the best of (and the crowds would LOVE) Chisnall is competitive but no fan favourite imo... Needs to win something big to be in.

Fair opinion, but don't you think there are many fans like me who make Chizzy a fan favorite?

[sammylad]

Chizzy needs the PL this year. I think it'll do him the world of good! A few few months of TV coverage will show everyone what we all know he has to offer in the darting world! #futureworldchampion

[xtreme rebel]

MvG guaranteed a wildcard now after tonight's win.

[Arthur Daley]

Unless Justin Pipe ever gets top 4 OOM, he will never get a PL spot - and rightly so.
Great player and a great guy, but tedious to watch. The PL is a weekly exhibition and doesn't do tedious.

[Zeyes]

MvG guaranteed a wildcard now after tonight's win.

And could even get in by right if he keeps it up:

1 Taylor £496,300
2 Lewis £334,100
3 Wade £291,500
4 Whitlock £218,800
5 Newton £215,400
6 Hamilton £213,000
7 van Gerwen £204,100

4th place very much in play now for the rest of the season.

[GtotheF]

MvG guaranteed a wildcard now after tonight's win.

And could even get in by right if he keeps it up:

1 Taylor £496,300
2 Lewis £334,100
3 Wade £291,500
4 Whitlock £218,800
5 Newton £215,400
6 Hamilton £213,000
7 van Gerwen £204,100

4th place very much in play now for the rest of the season.

Just shows how important the World's are.

And that is how it should be.

[xtreme rebel]

MvG guaranteed a wildcard now after tonight's win.

And could even get in by right if he keeps it up:

1 Taylor £496,300
2 Lewis £334,100
3 Wade £291,500
4 Whitlock £218,800
5 Newton £215,400
6 Hamilton £213,000
7 van Gerwen £204,100

4th place very much in play now for the rest of the season.

I think he will. He has a high Pro Tour seeding and will also have a high seeding for the Players Championship Finals (7th currently) and World Championships (8th currently).

I think we're looking at a Premier League 8 of:

Taylor
Lewis
Wade
van Gerwen
Whitlock
Barney
Anderson
+ One more (Newton currently in driving seat I would think). I would like to see Newton or Chisnall get in, that would mean 2 new faces from last year.