Col wrote:The likes of Mark Webster and Ted Hankey have struggled to make an impact after moving codes
Re the above from Sky, eh, what? Mark Webster has reached two world semi finals including one third place finish. Semi final of the UK Open, final of the Players Championship, and World Cup runner-up. He has also reached a couple of quarter finals and played in the Premier League, making over 300k since his switch. I'd hardly call that a 'struggle' like Hankey ffs.
I read it as Barry referring to the past 12-18 months of Websters results which seemed to have started downwards since he was included in the Premier League & struggled for results.
For some reason it appears to be a thing that happens to the top end BDO switchers , Winstanley is in the throws of it atm, when they first swap over they seem in the first couple of years to reach a ceiling very quickly and then start slipping down as they can't seem to reproduce the consistancy of the first 2 years. King did the same they look for all the world in the initial 2 years as if they will be a perenial top end challenger but then struggle to progress beyond 2nd and 1/4 finals the following couple of years. Hopefully now players like Webster at the Worlds begin to recover form and as they are no longer defending the monies form their initial years reverse their slides.
I have theorised this might be due to someone who was struggling by on 20-30k a year on the BDO circuit suddenly getting a massive boost to 100-150K a year and being distracted by their new found wealth and media exposure.
the problem for years was players coming over from the bdo full of confidence and carrying that with them and picking up a few victories, but over time the constant hammerings of the big boys destroys that once top confidence.
Has happened to them all and once they accept it and get used to it they come back.
Expect bunting to do well early, but he will get a comedown soon and it does take its toll on players
Col wrote:The likes of Mark Webster and Ted Hankey have struggled to make an impact after moving codes
Re the above from Sky, eh, what? Mark Webster has reached two world semi finals including one third place finish. Semi final of the UK Open, final of the Players Championship, and World Cup runner-up. He has also reached a couple of quarter finals and played in the Premier League, making over 300k since his switch. I'd hardly call that a 'struggle' like Hankey ffs.
I read it as Barry referring to the past 12-18 months of Websters results which seemed to have started downwards since he was included in the Premier League & struggled for results.
For some reason it appears to be a thing that happens to the top end BDO switchers , Winstanley is in the throws of it atm, when they first swap over they seem in the first couple of years to reach a ceiling very quickly and then start slipping down as they can't seem to reproduce the consistancy of the first 2 years. King did the same they look for all the world in the initial 2 years as if they will be a perenial top end challenger but then struggle to progress beyond 2nd and 1/4 finals the following couple of years. Hopefully now players like Webster at the Worlds begin to recover form and as they are no longer defending the monies form their initial years reverse their slides.
I have theorised this might be due to someone who was struggling by on 20-30k a year on the BDO circuit suddenly getting a massive boost to 100-150K a year and being distracted by their new found wealth and media exposure.
Hearn didn't mention Webster - that line was added in by a lazy journalist who actually aint got a clue.
I think Websters problem stem from the maulings he took in the PL. He posted a record average and then from then on got pumped every week. This would suggest that mentally he is quite fragile. Thankfully he seems to be coming back to some form. There is no doubting websters talent, he can live with the best and remember he is still quite young.
Col wrote:I think Websters problem stem from the maulings he took in the PL. He posted a record average and then from then on got pumped every week. This would suggest that mentally he is quite fragile. Thankfully he seems to be coming back to some form. There is no doubting websters talent, he can live with the best and remember he is still quite young.
After the PL finished:
2011 UK Open - semi finals
2011 Matchplay - quarters
2011 Euros - Last 32
2011 WGP - quarters
The need to eventually defend certain monies surely adds pressure? When they join the PDC these guys are defending nothing - the only way is up. From there on in players have to at least match their previous achievements which brings in added pressure they aren't dealing with at first.
Col wrote:I think Websters problem stem from the maulings he took in the PL. He posted a record average and then from then on got pumped every week. This would suggest that mentally he is quite fragile. Thankfully he seems to be coming back to some form. There is no doubting websters talent, he can live with the best and remember he is still quite young.
After the PL finished:
2011 UK Open - semi finals
2011 Matchplay - quarters
2011 Euros - Last 32
2011 WGP - quarters
So it didnt set in straight away.
No surprise threadkiller believed it.
The likes of dave clarke saying it enough times and rod as well and most sheep actually believe the PL did this to webster, which ginge has shown is not true
Col wrote:I think Websters problem stem from the maulings he took in the PL. He posted a record average and then from then on got pumped every week. This would suggest that mentally he is quite fragile. Thankfully he seems to be coming back to some form. There is no doubting websters talent, he can live with the best and remember he is still quite young.
After the PL finished:
2011 UK Open - semi finals
2011 Matchplay - quarters
2011 Euros - Last 32
2011 WGP - quarters
So it didnt set in straight away.
I have no doubt that the maulings Webster took in the PL had an effect on his game and confidence. Nothing above has changed my opinion of that.
I'm not sure Webster and King have ever really gone down that much. There are more good players in the PDC now than 2007 when King moved over. Whitlock, Chisnall and Wright are all top 8 now and were not playing in the PDC in 2007. van Gerwen moved at the same time as King. Anderson, Pipe, Thornton, Huybrechts, Dolan and White are all in the top 17 now. Once you fall out of the top 8 you can play a top 8 player in the first round of most of the TV events. King and Webster haven't fallen more than players like Osborne, Manley, Tabern, Scholten or Mardle who didn't have an initial good 2 years.
2011 UK Open - semi finals
2011 Matchplay - quarters
2011 Euros - Last 32
2011 WGP - quarters
So it didnt set in straight away.
He also reached the final of the (December) PC Finals and ranked 13th in Pro Tour money for the part of the season that followed the PL. It was arguably his overall best year in the PDC, his earnings in the others were propped up by his Worlds semis.
2011 UK Open - semi finals
2011 Matchplay - quarters
2011 Euros - Last 32
2011 WGP - quarters
So it didnt set in straight away.
He also reached the final of the (December) PC Finals and ranked 13th in Pro Tour money for the part of the season that followed the PL. It was arguably his overall best year in the PDC, his earnings in the others were propped up by his Worlds semis.
Col wrote:The likes of Mark Webster and Ted Hankey have struggled to make an impact after moving codes
Re the above from Sky, eh, what? Mark Webster has reached two world semi finals including one third place finish. Semi final of the UK Open, final of the Players Championship, and World Cup runner-up. He has also reached a couple of quarter finals and played in the Premier League, making over 300k since his switch. I'd hardly call that a 'struggle' like Hankey ffs.
hardly surprising it was threadkiller that would make such a stupid statement and lob webster in the same category as Hankey.
2011 UK Open - semi finals
2011 Matchplay - quarters
2011 Euros - Last 32
2011 WGP - quarters
So it didnt set in straight away.
He also reached the final of the (December) PC Finals and ranked 13th in Pro Tour money for the part of the season that followed the PL. It was arguably his overall best year in the PDC, his earnings in the others were propped up by his Worlds semis.
From the man himself.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle over the last couple of years but I’m working hard and it feels as though my form is coming back" Dec 2013.
