The Dart Premier League lineup is just a little over an hour away from being announced, but there is one player he has in mind Paul Nicholson he should forget about being in it Michael Smith.
Smith has fallen down the rankings from being a world champion and may not even make the World Matchplay at this point.
He is currently playing off the interim reserves and Nicholson does not doubt his work ethic, but he doubts that the Premier League will help him get back to his best.
He urged him to take a Rory McIlroy or Tiger Woods approach so he could get back into top shape with a structured schedule and not wanting to be in everything.
“I have never questioned Michael Smith’s work ethic. And I will never do it. But I think he does,” Nicholson said talkSPORT.
“So if he doesn’t put in the work and go to enough tournaments or the right ones that are ranked because you can, if you’re the world champion, you can go to the World Series, you can go to the Premier League, and you can go to the World Series Finals and win a ton money.
“But if it’s not in your ranking, you’ll find yourself in a place where you won’t be considered for match play.”
Michael Smith told to avoid the Premier League by Paul Nicholson.
“You have to be smart about this,” added Nicholson. “I actually think it’s a good thing for Michael Smith because I think it’s a chance for him to reconnect with the Premier League because I don’t think he should be in it.
“Make your calendar for this year well in advance and say, ‘I’m definitely going there.’ Just leave a few with an asterisk next to them. «I will go to these if I have to visit these».
“This is how golfers prepare for the season. When has Rory (McIlroy) ever played more than three weeks in a row? If he had to, it’s over. End of story.
“When does Tiger start his season? At the Farmers Insurance Open. Why? Because he wants to make sure he is prepared for the season and will choose everything.
“This is what darts players will have to do now. “It has come at the right time for Michael with 34 Players Championships in 2025, 14 European tours, no guarantee of Matchplay, the right schedule and work ethic right and I have every confidence that the top ten will be his again.”
