"What's he got to do?": Wayne Mardle surprised at Danny Noppert's Premier League absence and Stephen Bunting's inclusion in line-up
PDC
The eight-man line-up for the upcoming Premier League Darts season has been confirmed, bringing together returning champions, proven winners and exciting new faces. But for Wayne Mardle, while the quality is unquestionable, the selection process has left clear winners, losers – and plenty of pressure.
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“There are no arguments about their ability,” Mardle said. “In terms of what they’re capable of, they’re all elite players. But there are one or two who’ll be feeling very different emotions right now.”
Relief for Bunting, frustration for Noppert
Mardle admitted his immediate reaction included an element of surprise, particularly at the inclusion of Stephen Bunting. “I’m slightly surprised at Stephen Bunting. I just am,” he said on Sky Sports. “He’s had a decent enough year, but not as good as some, in my opinion, and he can consider himself a little fortunate.”
While acknowledging Bunting’s struggles in last year’s Premier League were more about results than performances, Mardle felt the early winless run counted against him. “He played okay in the Premier League last year, but results didn’t go his way – especially the first eight weeks where he didn’t win a game. But the Premier League’s tough. We know that.”
Ultimately, Mardle believes Bunting will be the player breathing the biggest sigh of relief. By contrast, Danny Noppert was the name that stood out as the unluckiest omission. “For me, Danny Noppert’s been really unlucky,” Mardle said. “He’s reached the semi-finals of four majors, four big TV events. You kind of feel, what’s he got to do?”
Despite winning the UK Open previously and improving year on year, Mardle suggested the lack of a recent final or title may have counted against Noppert – a standard not applied evenly. “Stephen hasn’t done that this year,” he added. “With the performances of last year, I thought that would have gone against him rather than for him. But Stephen’s got a massive following – the People’s Champion, don’t forget.”
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Pressure points: Bunting, van Gerwen and Humphries
Looking ahead to the campaign itself, Mardle believes pressure will be concentrated on three players. “Stephen, yes – 100%,” he said. “Whoever gets in as the last pick, the pressure’s on you.”
But Bunting is not alone. Mardle also highlighted Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries as players with points to prove. “Luke Humphries needs to re-establish himself,” he said. “Forget about Gian van Veen – because he didn’t make the world final and Gian sorted him out.”
Mardle referenced Humphries’ disappointing World Championship exit and believes the world number two will be eager to put things right.
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, enters the season under rare scrutiny after failing to win a single Premier League night last year and missing out on the playoffs entirely.
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“Two years ago he wins four weeks of the Premier League, same format, same knockout every week,” Mardle said. “Last year he didn’t make the playoffs and didn’t win a week. There’s pressure on him to perform."
Despite Gerwyn Price entering as the lowest-ranked of the eight, Mardle does not see that as a burden. “I don’t see pressure on him,” he said. “He finished the year pretty well. He had a poor Worlds – Wesley Plaisier absolutely took care of him – but I really believe he’ll be okay.”
That confidence also extends to Josh Rock, whom Mardle believes is tailor-made for the Premier League format. “If there’s anyone that’s made for the Premier League, it’s Josh Rock,” he said.
Rock’s World Cup triumph alongside Daryl Gurney and his growing comfort on the biggest stages have convinced Mardle the timing is right. “He loves the stage, he thrives on it, and he is ready to win,” he said. “This format is great for him – 16 weeks, hopefully 17 with the playoffs. I think it’s made for Josh Rock.”
Clayton’s return and the elite reality
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Jonny Clayton’s return to the Premier League also drew a firm endorsement. “Never in doubt for me,” Mardle said. “He’s competitive every single day of the week, especially on Thursdays. I think he’ll be absolutely fine.”
Still, Mardle warned that even strong performances do not guarantee success in such an unforgiving format. “This is the elite of world darts,” he said. “It’s hard to win games. You can go seven, eight, nine weeks without winning. Stephen’s proven that.”
Van Gerwen’s motivation and Littler’s takeover
Despite last year’s disappointment, Mardle believes van Gerwen will return with renewed hunger. “He wants to entertain,” Mardle said. “Luke Littler’s taken that role on and he’s doing it really well, but Michael wants everyone to talk about him.”
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Not making the playoffs, he believes, struck a nerve. “He’s won seven Premier Leagues. To not make the playoffs last year was a blow. He wants to re-establish the correct order of darts – talk about me. Every Thursday, I’m the man you’ve got to beat.”
At the very top, however, Mardle sees a clear hierarchy emerging. Luke Littler, he says, has taken control. “Last year it was, ‘Yeah, he’s good, but he’s beatable.’ Now, you’ve got to get him on the right day,” Mardle said.
After winning six Premier League nights last season – a record – Mardle sees no reason why Littler cannot repeat or even better that feat. “Do I see him winning six again, maybe more? Yes, I do.”
Van Veen’s future at the top
Mardle also expects Gian van Veen to remain a fixture at the top end of the sport following his World Championship run. “That’s the shame about knockout events – only one person prevails,” he said. “He had the most amazing two-and-a-bit weeks and didn’t win the final.”
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Despite the disappointment, Mardle insists van Veen’s performance level was exceptional. “He played amazing. He just walked into the darting freak – and that’s a term of endearment – Luke Littler, on one of his good days.”
For Mardle, the rankings reflect the current reality of the sport. “Right now, it’s Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, then Gian van Veen,” he said. “The rankings are right. They’re set up beautifully.”
With the Premier League getting underway in Newcastle on February 5, Mardle believes the ingredients are in place for another compelling season – one where reputation alone will offer no protection, and every Thursday night will matter.
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.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
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