“You get a lot of games won now with 88 averages” – Gary Anderson questions praise of Littler-Humphries era as two-time world champion insists standards were higher in his prime

Gary Anderson has questioned whether the standard of modern darts really matches the level produced during his own prime, claiming that players are now winning matches with averages that would have struggled to compete against the sport's leading names a decade ago.

Despite the remarkable rise of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, the two-time world champion believes the generation featuring himself, Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor regularly produced stronger performances.

Speaking to Online Darts at the 2027 Unicorn launch, Anderson recalled the period between 2015 and 2019 as a particularly strong era for the sport, pointing to the difference in match-winning averages when comparing his generation with today's leading players.

Asked how much darts had changed since he was winning back-to-back World Championship titles in 2015 and 2016, Anderson was quick to challenge the idea that standards have continued to rise.

"Talent-wise, I think if you go back six, seven, maybe a bit longer, I reckon averages were better. Bigger averages," the Scotsman told Online Darts. "One thing, we keep going on about averages, which don't really matter, but I just like to keep an eye and see how it's doing. You get a lot of games getting won now with 88 averages, whereas a while back, you were winning with 99 to 101."

When interviewer Phil Barrs suggested that 2015 to 2019 represented something of a golden era, Anderson agreed. "Yeah. There were a lot of good darts players and a lot of big averages back then."

Anderson was at the heart of that period, winning successive world titles before reaching another final in 2017, where he lost 7-3 to Van Gerwen in one of the highest-quality World Championship showpieces ever played. The pair combined for a record 42 maximums, with Van Gerwen averaging 108.06 and Anderson 104.93.

Alongside those two, Taylor, Adrian Lewis, Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright were among the established stars competing for major honours. The period also featured Van Gerwen at his statistical peak, with the Dutchman setting the world-record televised average of 123.40 against Michael Smith in the 2016 Premier League.

Littler and Humphries have since produced extraordinary individual performances of their own, helping drive darts to new heights of popularity. Anderson's comments were not a direct criticism of either player, but reflected his wider doubts about whether the overall standard has improved.

Asked why the current crop, apart from a handful of leading stars, had seemingly struggled to reach the levels of his contemporaries, Anderson admitted he could not pinpoint the reason. "I don't know. Is it more pressure? I don't know what it is."

The 55-year-old also admitted that the atmosphere away from the oche is different to what he remembers from his most successful years.

James Wade had recently expressed his own nostalgia for the old days during the World Grand Prix, and Anderson was equally enthusiastic when the subject was raised.

"Yeah. The banter," he said. "You sit in the rooms now and nobody says much. I sit with Wrighty and that, and we have a right tear-up on the table. Proper! It's just good old-fashioned banter, isn't it? It's good. Talking about the old days and that, it's good."

Yet Anderson is far from dismissive of the talent now emerging through the ranks. Having previously recognised Michael Smith's potential before the Englishman became world champion, the Scotsman has been impressed by another youngster he believes could make a significant impact.

"I've just noticed young Tom Sykes is here. I think he's going to be a cracking player," Anderson said. "I think he's one of those, the minute he has a good run, that'll just spur him on. He's got a great throw, and I think he's going to be a good one."

Anderson has watched Sykes on several occasions and sees similarities in the potential he once recognised in Smith, although the youngster is still awaiting the breakthrough that could establish him at a higher level.

"I've watched Tom a few times, and he's got all the right components. He just needs that little foot over the threshold, and I think he'll be like a racehorse and just tear away."

Sykes now has the backing of one of darts' most decorated modern players as he looks to translate that promise into consistent results on the professional circuit.