Wade after receiving late call-up to 2021 Premier League Darts line-up: "I know I'm good enough to win it"
PDC
News broke earlier on Monday morning that Gerwyn Price had tested positive for Covid-19 and was to be replaced in the Premier League Darts line-up directly by James Wade, the reigning UK Open champion.
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Wade was on stand-by as a reserve as he revealed in an interview with the PDC and he is confident of potentially making it a Premier League double after being champion in 2009.
"Obviously, I was a reserve anyway for the Premier League so I come up last night and had my test. I've arranged to do lots of things at home and had the phone call this morning saying you're not going anywhere, you're staying," said Wade to the PDC.
"It's great for me but it's a shame for the other player who didn't pass the test and I wish him well and hopefully he's alright."
"I don't reflect myself on how anyone else plays. I know what I'm capable of and I haven't touched a dart since the last time we played but I'm not a prolific practice person so hopefully that won't make much of a difference and after a game or two, I should be back in the swing of things. But I know I'm good enough to win it."
"If you start off well, you should have a bit of momentum behind you with the games close to each other. Again if you don't start off so well, that might be the same snowball effect as well."
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On initially not being picked for PL line-up
Wade wasn't initially picked for the tournament which caused some discontent including from 'The Machine' himself after he won the UK Open just after the cut off.
"I don't think anyone is entitled to be in it. The Premier League is an entertainment and the powers above, they pick who they feel is more entertainment for people viewing.
"Unfortunately I wasn't in that one but I've been lucky enough to be shoed in through the back door so we will see."
Premier League debut year can 'break you'
He also discussed the debutants in the competition and admitted while it can go well for players, it can also 'break' them.
"You can make a mark, it can also break you as well as we've seen it do to three or four players. It has literally has turned their career off. The players who have won tournaments this year would all of them have won in front of crowds, I don't know. Are they all amazing players yes."
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Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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