"I'm going to get my arse kicked": Simon Whitlock not positive of Gary Anderson clash chances after tense Nebrida win

Simon Whitlock had a dramatic start to the PDC World Darts Championship coming through a tense clash with Paolo Nebrida 3-2 finding the double at the sixth attempt to curtail a shock exit.

But Whitlock who has had a poor year is dealing with issues to do with his equipment which have stunted his form this year.

"I put that down to messing with darts, barrels, flights, stems. I'm worse than Peter Wright, just can't settle with something," admitted Whitlock.

This lack of positivity also is there for his clash with Gary Anderson, with the Aussie ace admitting that he will get his 'arse kicked' if he plays like that again.

"I'm not that positive, that wasn't great. I'm thinking I'm going to get my arse kicked, if I can say that. There's always more in the tank, I need the 180's to start happening. I didn't hit many tonight. I'm a big 180 hitter and they weren't there."

"A 90 average won't even come close to Gary (Anderson), I need to average close to 100 to even be competitive. There's something in the tank though that won't let me give up."

Also with future DRA rule changes surrounding darts points, he said that he will be in huge trouble and isn't sure yet how he is going to do it as a player who holds his dart by the point and needs the grip.

"I feel uncomfortable with the darts I had, I feel I need to change something. You get to the point when you need a change.

"It's affected my game over the last three or four months. Since I've known the rule, I've been trying to change and it's had a big impact on my game. I've been trying new stuff and that's probably what's made my game go downhill so I'm in big trouble next year."