"It’s far too short, isn’t it" – Mark Webster has a clear opinion on Dom Taylor’s punishment

Mark Webster is a former professional darts player who now works as a commentator and analyst. In a candid conversation, the Welshman discussed the expanded World Championship format, the dominance of Luke Littler, surprises like Ryan Searle and Gian van Veen, mental pressure in elite sport, and the future of established names under strain. One conclusion kept coming back: global darts is harsher, faster, and more ruthless than ever.

The expansion of the World Darts Championship to 128 players raised questions beforehand, but according to Webster the format has proved itself. “Yeah, it did to be fair. Obviously there were always concerns about adding extra qualifiers, but it was really competitive. There were stories in the early rounds as well," he said to Online Darts.

On the contrary, Webster believes the change strengthened the tournament, particularly before Christmas. “I think that the seeded players coming back for that second game before Christmas just added that little bit more jeopardy. We lost a lot of seeds, so yeah, on the whole you’d have to say it worked.”

Early-round wins by David Munyua and Nitin Kumar stood out as examples of the event’s growing global reach. “The big stories in the opening rounds, David Munyua and Nitin Kumar picking up wins, it just helps take the darts further on. On the whole it was a real success.”

Once again, Luke Littler dominated the headlines, successfully defending his world title and joining an exclusive club of back-to-back champions. “You’d have to say that, but that’s down to him playing well,” Webster said when asked if Littler cruised through the tournament. “He’s the number one seed so generally his draw is going to be more favourable.”

Despite that, Webster highlighted several tests along the way. “His first round against Darius Labanauskas, he got stuck in early, he was pushed in that game. The Rob Cross game was the one, wasn’t it, he was really tested there.”

Ultimately, however, the outcome was never in doubt. “But look, he cruised to that World Championship, didn’t he, and he’s the man to stop at the minute. It’s up to the players to up their standards, otherwise he’s just going to keep winning titles.”

Asked whether Littler already belongs in the all-time greats conversation, Webster had no hesitation. “Yeah, I think so. There’s no doubt about it. What he’s achieved in such a small amount of time is incredible and there’s no sign of him letting off.”

He also pointed to Littler’s mentality. “I like his reaction when he loses, he gets a bit stroppy, and that’s what you want to see from him. No defeat he’ll take easily. He’ll get back on the horse and want to win the next tournament he’s in.”

Gary Anderson’s run to the semi-finals evoked memories of his prime years, but Webster insists it did not come as a shock. “I wasn’t gobsmacked that Gary got to the semi-finals. I think he’s still got it, he’s still hungry. He uses different things to motivate himself, but look, it worked.”

Webster believes Anderson has adjusted his priorities. “I think he’s sort of flipped everything, hasn’t he. He’s more focused on the ranking events now, the European Tours and the floor events. Until this World Championship he’s kind of underwhelmed on TV, but look, he looked good, he looked confident all the way through.”

Ryan Searle also enjoyed a career-defining tournament, earning his biggest payday and breaking into the world’s top ten. “He was really good, particularly in the early rounds. He was barely on stage, he was dispatching opponents, finished well and looked comfortable.”

Webster underlined the significance of the financial boost. “With the increased prize money, players were going to get that opportunity and Ryan Searle certainly got that opportunity. What was it, £200,000 — his biggest payday — up into the top 10 in the world.”

However, he was clear about the challenge ahead. “That’s the challenge for you now. When you have a little bit of success, you’ve got to try and continue it. He’s so capable, Ryan, so likeable, and I was really pleased for him.”

Perhaps the most remarkable rise belongs to Gian van Veen, who capped a sensational year with a major title. “Really impressed. I like the guy as well. I had a chat with him a few years ago when I was doing a bit of work at the MODUS Super Series and he was just starting out.”

Even Van Veen himself may be surprised by the speed of his progress. “I think even he’ll think he’s well ahead of schedule here. He’s a major champion now, he’s been to the World Finals, he’s going to be in the Premier League, he’s going to be in the World Series.”

Webster expects his upward trajectory to continue. “He’s hungry, he’s going to want to carry on winning events, and yeah, we’ll see plenty of him this year. I think he’ll win some more events, that is for sure.”

The World Championship also produced some uncomfortable moments, with emotions spilling over on stage. Webster believes pressure is inseparable from elite, individual sport. “There’s real pressure, but that’s what individual sport’s about. I don’t think that’s just come into this sport — it was there when I played.”

He stressed that support systems exist for those who need them. “There is help out there for players if they need it. If they don’t feel comfortable going through the PDPA, they need to go their own way and get that help.”

Webster also spoke candidly about handling defeat. “It is emotionally challenging up there. I didn’t take defeat well sometimes, but you don’t want to see players suffering. You want to see them successful.”

On Dom Taylor’s six-month suspension following a second doping offence, Webster was unequivocal. "Yeah, it’s far too short, isn’t it.”

He explained that the sanction was not decided by the PDC. “From what I’ve been told, it’s out of the PDC’s hands, it’s dealt with by UK Anti-Doping.”

Above all, Webster believes the focus should be on Taylor’s wellbeing.“The fact he’s tested positive twice in a couple of years means there’s an underlying problem there. First and foremost Dom needs to go and get that help.”

He also urged caution over a return. “Don’t come back next year if this problem’s still hovering around. Get himself sorted, get himself mentally prepared, and then take the next step when he’s comfortable.”

The surge in World Championship prize money has dramatically reshaped the rankings, something Webster views with mixed feelings. “One run has put Ryan Searle into the top 10 in the world now, and it’s heavily inflated at the World Championship.”

Still, he believes there are positives.“What it does do is give players who have that run the chance to say, ‘Hang on, maybe I can take a step back from that day job.’ It can improve the quality.”

The Premier League Darts line-up generated plenty of debate, and Webster admitted sympathy for those who missed out. “I really felt for Danny. I really did feel for Danny.”

He believes timing played a major role. “For Danny Noppert, he put himself in a window where maybe it was his only window, and I’d have liked to see them find room for him.”

Webster also addressed Stephen Bunting’s selection. “He really underwhelmed in the Premier League last year. Played okay, but when you have that bad game you’ve got to try and find a way to win it, and Stephen didn’t do that enough.”

Nevertheless, he expects improvement. “He’s learnt from that now, you’d expect him to put up a lot more resistance this year.”

Looking forward, Webster expects continued dominance at the top and pressure at the bottom. “More wins for Luke Littler, I think, he’s that good.”

He also anticipates responses from the established elite. “I’m expecting responses from Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries.”

Finally, Webster pointed to the danger facing some of the sport’s biggest names. “The sport waits for no one. There’s players on the up, and for them players to get themselves in those places, players have to move out.”