Smith: 'I can't afford any more mistakes'

Michael Smith (Michael Cooper, PDC)

MICHAEL SMITH believes he has no more margin for error if he is to reach the Unibet Premier League Play-Offs after Thursday's 7-7 draw with Peter Wright in Belfast kept him rooted to the foot of the table.

Smith has struggled to hit the heights of his memorable 2018 Premier League campaign which saw him come runner-up, with just eight points to show from his ten games this campaign.

Next up for Smith is a replay of last year's Premier League Final against Michael van Gerwen in his local venue of the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, where the St Helens thrower famously whitewashed Raymond van Barneveld 7-0 in 2018.

"I've got to win all the games left now. I can do it, I know I can because I've done it before," said Smith, who averaged almost ten points more than Wright on Night Ten.

"It's up to me now to make sure I turn up and get the job done. I keep throwing games away from winning positions, both matches against Peter I should've won but didn't and that's why I am where I am.

"I kept worrying that Peter was going to break my throw and that's the difference from last year because there was no doubt, but now a bit of doubt has started to creep in.

"It's getting harder to tell myself I'm not playing badly, but I had a killer instinct last year which I need to find again if I'm going to turn this season around.

"I'll keep on fighting, I go to Barnsley this weekend to try and put it right before a few days resting at home before a big night in Liverpool."

For tickets to the Unibet Premier League in Liverpool CLICK HERE

Night 11 - Thursday April 11
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Rob Cross v Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price v Mensur Suljovic
James Wade v Daryl Gurney
Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen
Tickets: 0344 8000 400 or click here

Unibet Premier League