Nicholson picks Lewis and Noppert among outsiders for World Grand Prix: “Adrian is searching for something, maybe a new version of himself”

The World Grand Prix is coming up this weekend and Paul Nicholson spoke to the PDC to give his outsiders for this years title in Leicester.

Among them is a certain ‘Jackpot’ Adrian Lewis who The Asset sees something in and a player that could go under the radar.

“I’ve spoken to Adrian a lot lately and to me, it seems like he is searching for something. Maybe a new version of himself, a new motivation or even a new path,” said Nicholson.

“But, what I see in the meantime is someone who is still very talented and capable.

“He will have a game plan ahead of this, he will definitely not be talked about that much and he will hope to saunter into the latter stages and pick off people in a quest to improve his ranking which has slipped in the last two years.

“Let us not forget, he almost didn’t make this year's World Matchplay, and now he is in a safe position for events like this, he can play with a little more freedom.

“Yes, he isn’t going to the European Championship, but for someone who doesn’t like to play all events anymore, that might be a blessing. “Is De Sousa a bad draw for him? I will let you decide that, but I believe there is more pressure on Jose than Lewis.”

While another player to be an outsider is one who despite being a major champion doesn’t get the billing as such in Danny Noppert who has been one of the most consistent players on tour for a long time and sealed the UK Open in March.

“For some it might come as a surprise, but he has been walking around darts venues with this aura for around seven years now. It doesn’t matter where he plays, he learns, he executes, he wins. He is like a terminator,” he added.

“The fact that a current major champion is 25/1 with the title sponsors tells you that this guy is still under the radar.

“Take into account his improvement in 2022. Not only has he won a major ranking event, he has improved in every facet of his game.

He has won for the first time on British soil on the floor AND on the stage in the PDC, plus made big strides on the European Tour by making his first finals.

“I do not know what more evidence the darting world needs to realise that Noppie is for real.“In his quest to be in next year's Premier League, he will have to do more this year, and he will. It just depends on where, not if.”