Little Stat Thing

 

So with 3 big TV events coming up, I thought I’d look at some stats and see which players may be going under the radar, who has had a good season and some surprises to look out for going into 2026.

I started looking at who might win the PDC World Darts Championship and if there was any correlation with current form . Turns out there isn’t really.  Players that win the Grand Slam or Players Championship Finals, don’t necessarily go on to win the World Championship, even though it would seem that those would be the ‘in-form’ players

However only on a handful of occasions has the winner of either of these competitions gone on to win the World Championship.

So, that got me thinking, is it more about overall performance in the year that should be taken into account? Stage and TV experience would also come into play, but that is subjective and opinion based. I’m sure I could dig out specific stats for that, but I thought I would just stick with performance stats over the year.

I took the Pro Tour, Challenge Tour and Development Tour and then ranked all the players combined to get an overall list. I chose factors such as season average and checkout percentage, plus a few other variables. I then ranked players based on each variable and then totalled again.

My top 10 ranked players are as follows:

Some interesting finds then. Notice how top names such Luke Humphries (12^th) , Michael van Gerwen (28^th) and Nathan Aspinall (17^th) do not appear. They have all won big tournaments this year, but overall performance has not been as consistent. Will this play a part for the rest of the season?

For me, the big surprise was seeing Luke Littler was not top.  Admittedly Josh Rock has been excellent this year, and starting to the form of two years ago, where many were talking about him as the ‘next big thing’. Even so, I didn’t think many could touch Littler, but I’ll go with my stats and wait and see.  Stephen Bunting’s great early season form has helped to his position of 2^nd, and could be interesting come the TV tournaments, where he is a big crowd favourite. 

One of highest placed non PDC Tour Card holder is Shane McGuirk. That is a surprise too. Although he won the 2025 WDF World Championship and is clearly as class act, I’d still expect to see others higher, but the figures have made him the best, based on season performance.  So I wonder if he can retain that title. I reckon the bookies may overlook him (again), as well as some pundits.

New Darts Setup – Time for a Change

 After a few weeks of mixed results, I’ve decided it’s time to shake things up and try something different with my setup.

My trusty Mervyn King darts have served me well for a long time, and they suit my grip nicely, but recently I’ve noticed I tend to slice the darts, causing them to land at an awkward angle. It’s been bugging me for a while, and I think it’s time for a reset.

So, I’ve gone back to an older set of Michael van Gerwen 22-gram darts,and so far, they feel much straighter and cleaner out of the hand. It might just be psychological at this stage, but they seem to fly better for my current throw. I’m also sticking with my K-Flex stems, which I’ve really grown comfortable with over the past couple of years.

I’ll only be taking this setup to Wednesday’s tournament, partly to stop myself swapping darts mid-event, which I’ve been guilty of in the past! For now, the plan is to commit fully and see how they feel under proper match conditions.

Oh, and yes they do look a bit ugly, so need to order some new K Flex in black or green!

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New Game - And It Seems To Be Stopping The Rot

 

After a tough few weeks, I’ve been working on something new — and it already feels like it’s helping.

I’ve built a new darts practice game, and it’s actually based on the Q School qualifying format. The idea is simple but addictive: 20 levels, random targets to aim at, and points awarded as you progress through the rounds. It’s not just about throwing 501 legs over and over.It’s about focus, accuracy, and responding to pressure in short bursts.

The game’s still in its early form (see screenshot below), but it’s fully working. Over the next week, I’ll be improving the layout and making it look more aesthetically polished. Once that’s done, I’ll share a download link so others can give it a try.

What’s interesting is how it’s already improving my concentration and throw rhythm. Because every target is different, I’m thinking less about scores and more about smooth mechanics and control. I’ve only been testing it for a couple of days, but it’s genuinely helping me reset mentally — and I feel like the throw’s coming back together.

It’s been a while since practice felt this enjoyable.

Eight to Watch – 2025 Grand Slam of Darts Preview

 

With a week off, I’ve been looking ahead to one of my favourite events of the year - the Grand Slam of Darts. It’s always an unpredictable mix of elite talent, quick starters, and a few names who catch fire just at the right time.

This year’s line-up looks wide open, so I’ve picked eight players to watch . A blend of favourites, form players, dark horses and potential surprises.

Luke Littler – Favourite

Hard to look past the teenage phenomenon. The defending Grand Slam champion has carried his momentum from an incredible 2024 season straight into 2025, already picking up more titles and averaging in the mid-100s on a regular basis. His scoring power is unmatched right now, and if he brings even 80 % of his best game to Wolverhampton, he’ll take some stopping. Still fearless, still hungry, and the clear man to beat.

Gian van Veen – Close Challenger

The Dutch youngster has quietly become one of the most consistent performers on tour. A smooth thrower with growing confidence, van Veen reached a string of semi-finals earlier this year, befor emaking his big breakthrough, by winning the European Championship last week . He’s already proven he can hold his nerve on stage and has the scoring game to push anyone deep into matches. If anyone can go toe-to-toe with the favourites, it might be him.

James Wade – Man in Form

The “Machine” just keeps ticking. After a few quieter years, Wade has found something close to his best again in 2025. He is  measured, clinical, and full of belief. He’s been posting steady averages and taking out key doubles at the right times, which is exactly what the Grand Slam format rewards. With his experience and temperament, you can never rule him out when it matters.

Jermaine Wattimena – Dark Horse

One of the most improved players of the season. Wattimena’s pace and aggression on the oche make him a tough opponent when he’s flowing, and he’s picked up a few eye-catching wins this year over higher-ranked players. If he can keep his first-dart consistency sharp, he could easily turn a few heads and make the knockout rounds. Dangerous when relaxed.

Wessel Nijman – Needs to Punish

After working hard to rebuild his reputation and form, Nijman has shown flashes of real quality this year. He’s heavy-scoring but sometimes guilty of not finishing off the legs he should. If he can learn to punish missed chances, he could make a proper impact on a big stage again. The talent’s never been in doubt and now it’s all about composure.

Chris Dobey – So Consistent

“Hollywood” has been quietly putting together another strong year. He rarely plays a poor game and has become one of the most reliable stage performers on the circuit. While others fluctuate, Dobey’s ability to stay around the 95–100 average mark week in, week out, makes him a real threat. If the draw opens up, he’s got every chance to go deep.

Beau Greaves – The Wildcard

It’s brilliant to see Beau in the mix again. Still just 21, but with a maturity and throwing rhythm that many seasoned pros envy. She’s dominated the Women’s Series and continues to improve against the men on the bigger stages. If she settles quickly and finds her range early, she could shock a few big names. The talent ceiling is sky-high.

Danny Noppert – Mr Steady

Always reliable, rarely flustered. Noppert’s calm, composed style often flies under the radar, but he’s been quietly consistent again in 2025 with solid averages, tidy finishing, and strong stage form. A former UK Open champion and previous Grand Slam semi-finalist, he knows how to handle the format. If he starts well in the groups, he could easily go deep while everyone else focuses on the headline names.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Slam always delivers stories,  from shock exits to unexpected heroes. Whether it’s Littler defending, Wade rolling back the years, or someone like Nijman finding form at just the right time, this year’s event feels wide open.

Finding My Way Again?

  The past couple of tournaments haven’t gone to plan.

On Wednesday 22nd October, I averaged 41.55 in the Under 55 Average Comp, reaching the Last 16 after finishing bottom of Group 4 with an average of 48.39. I won six legs across the night but couldn’t find any consistency. There was some good visits mixed with too many loose ones.

Then on Thursday 23rd October, I managed a 43.38 average in the Thursday Night Round Robin, losing out 3–0 to Jack Kempster in the Last 16. Despite a few steady legs, I never really settled into rhythm, and it felt like another outing where things just didn’t click.

Right now, I feel like I’ve lost my way a bit. The throw doesn’t feel smooth, and confidence is low. That said, I’m away for a week now, so I won’t be playing at all. Maybe that’s exactly what’s needed. Sometimes a short break is the best reset. A chance to clear the head, rest the eyes, and come back fresher.

The key will be returning with focus and simplicity: throw smooth, think less, trust the process. Every player goes through spells like this, so I guess it’s part of the journey.

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Key Stats

Wednesday – Under 55 Average Comp (Oct 22)

• Average: 41.55 | First 9: 48.25

• 100+: 5 | 140+: 1 | 180s: 0

• Legs Won: 6 | Legs Lost: 6 | Breaks: 3

Thursday – Round Robin (Oct 23)

• Average: 43.38 | Result: Lost 0–3 vs Jack Kempster (56.36 Avg)

• Group Stage Avg: 48.39

• Legs Won: 0 | Legs Lost: 3

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Reflection

Form dips happen.It’s part of learning how to stay composed under pressure. A week off might be the perfect chance to reset mentally, steady the health side of things, and come back sharper. The goal remains the same: improve, stay patient, and keep building towards Q School 2027.

Battling Through A Blurry Patch

 

Battling Through a Blurry Patch

Since Friday, things have been a little tougher. My eyesight has taken a hit, and as a diabetic, I know exactly why. My blood sugars were running high for quite a while, and now that I’m finally getting them under control, my body’s reacting. One of the side effects can be blurry vision, and from what I’ve read (and felt), it could last anywhere from a day to a couple of months.

Looking back, that probably explains a lot about my performances last week. I’ve tried practicing, but it’s been difficult to focus — literally. Even so, I managed to hit a 50 average in practice last night against a bot, so there are still positives to take.

It’s a bit frustrating because this Wednesday’s Under-55 Average Tournament looks very winnable. A few of the big names aren’t playing, and it’s a great opportunity. Whether my eyes will let me take it, though, is another question.

Still, it is was it is.  I’ll keep pushing through, stay patient, and trust that when this phase passes, things will clear up. Maybe both literally and metaphorically. Once that happens, I’ll be in a much better place to kick on and keep improving.

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Key Takeaway

Resilience and patience are just as important as practice — sometimes the biggest challenges aren’t on the board, but within ourselves.