Thursday 2 April 2015 09:58, UK
Stephen Bunting has vowed to block out any boo-boys if he avoids elimination on the Premier League’s Judgement Night.
The St Helens man still has a few lingering concerns as he needs to win two legs against Kim Huybrechts to secure survival in Manchester on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports.
Bunting should have already pulled clear of the bottom two as he let a commanding lead slip away during his recent draw with home favourite Peter Wright in Scotland.
Jeers from the partisan crowd clearly disrupted the aim of the man nicknamed ‘Bullet’ and he admits the frustrating night served as a harsh lesson during his debut year in the tournament.
“It was really nerve wracking to be honest,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “At five-one up, I had the game sewn up. When they started booing me, it’s something that I’ve never experienced before, so it got my back up a bit. It got me nervous and makes you try that little bit harder.
“It’s all part of the learning curve. It’s been put in the memory bank for when I’m in Scotland again - hopefully I don’t play someone from Scotland.
“He (Wright) was a bit embarrassed to be honest. Obviously he knows that I should have won that game and it’s one of them. It happens.
When they started booing me, it’s something that I’ve never experienced before, so it got my back up a bit.
“It comes with the darts, as a spectacle, it’s fantastic for the crowd to get involved.”
At first, Bunting struggled to adjust to the league format and failed to pick up a win in the opening four weeks.
But a victory over Adrian Lewis instilled him with fresh hope and he also holds a victory over third-placed Dave Chisnall.
“You’re always nervous looking for your first win,” he said. “I got it in Exeter against Adrian Lewis and it settled me in then.
“I played quite well against Dave Chisnall. I’m just enjoying it. Obviously if I stay in, then I know I’ve got to play everyone again and I’m sure it will different the second time around.”
Bottom-placed Huybrechts needs a big win over Bunting to keep his faint survival hopes alive, while defending champion Raymond van Barneveld has also joined him in the bottom two.
The Dutchman faces a daunting clash against world champion Gary Anderson and Bunting did not expect ‘Barney’ to be sitting in a perilous position.
“I’m still surprised. Raymond won it last year and he’s struggling,” he said.
"He’s probably one of the favourites to go out if I’m honest, playing Gary Anderson as well. He’s had a really tough last three games.
"He’s the one that has surprised me more than anything after winning it last year. Maybe the additional pressure of being the defending champion had taken him slightly off his game.”
