Josh Rock's winless start to the Premier League Darts season is a mental issue, not a lack of ability, according to former professional Matthew Edgar. After seven nights, Rock remains bottom of the table without a point, most recently suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat to Gerwyn Price in Dublin with an average of 84.21. Edgar, however, insists the Northern Irishman's true level is far higher, telling OLBG: "He is Premier League quality. This isn't a player who has been put into an event that he is not capable of performing in."
The analyst points out that Rock's problems appear confined to the Premier League stage. "Is he out of form? No. He's playing well when he is playing everywhere else. It is just the Premier League," Edgar said. He believes the pressure Rock puts on himself is key, referencing an interview from last year where Rock stated he only considered himself an elite player once he made the Premier League. "Is this a case of him now having to try and prove himself at a new level? This surely is psychological," Edgar added.
Edgar has no doubts about Rock's talent, noting: "It's not ability because he has got that. His bottle has been tested over the years. He has answered every question he's ever had in his career and exceeded expectations." That leads him to a single conclusion: "The fact that he is still performing — it has got to be psychological. There is no other reason." Rock gets another chance to claim his first win on Thursday in Berlin during Night 8 of the Premier League Darts, where he faces Jonny Clayton in the quarterfinals.
