Why would ya, has a 2nd fav for the award who's been the most talked about sportsperson in Europe, probably the world ever not made the short list ??

The day draws to an end and Littler was beaten by a yellow teethed 53 year old and Max's car is well and truly broken

At least the appeal was rejected, regarding Littler he struggles big time when behind and the pressure was written all over his reddened face when 2-0 down in such a short round 1. Seems daft to make them early rounds a lotto in a major tv tournament. He had a bit of attitude but all the greats have had that, Eric, Phil and Mike.
SPOTY only covers the positives obviously and there has been more than enough of them but as far as the future holds, he really needs to take up Taylors offer of coaching him and get the feck off them video games.

Having moved into that expensive rental property he needs to see consistency, the expectation and pressure to now deliver every time has really hit home for the lad, moving and the tv deal with all the other media sh1t going on in the background is taking its toll.

Having already showed emotion on stage after losing to Peter Wright in a final after his mate's Dad died, god only knows what is going on behind closed doors. All dart players have runs of good/bad form i just feel the last couple of months, since i lumped on lol this form dip coincides with mounting daily pressure.

I see he's not posted anything on SM yet, so he must be really hurting

In terms of backing him for SPOTY, away from his personal struggles whether its a dip or the pressure. Its not the worse thing that can happen, this could attract a lot of sympathy for the 17 year old on his journey. Depending if we see some emotion, fightback and spirit.

One of the other problems in backing Littler, is that even if there is any sort of campaign support it would need it to be massive for him - can't see that happening when the sports fans would realise he's playing bang average, so doesn't really deserve it as much.
That's in addition to the problem of actual even getting into the vote, when the sportspeople decide whether he deserves to.

It really is an amazingly weak year overall, especially considering it's an Olympic one too.

I still think he's a total certainty to be shortlisted, as long as Lando is not.
i just cant see a shortlist of Olympians only and Cav looks nailed on for lifetime award and Root not done nowhere near enough

I get the idea about him being voted and shortlisted for earlier achievement, but what I disagree with is that his more recent poor form will not make a difference - I think it definitely will, in terms of how many votes or how big his campaign votes will be - anyone who was more borderline for supporting it/him, will be swayed to think 'not bothered' in voting for him.

Won’t sway shortlist panel at all, it’s a sh1t year and he’s the most talked about person in this country all year. I’m only frustrated at recent form coz I want the cherry on the cake, one more 9 darter or tv title. I see your perspective stu being a layer or fav backer and his dip plays into your narrative but tbh it is wishful thinking.

His VT showing him in nappies throwing darts and as a young child will have the audience like putty, especially the women. Then he’ll be shown banging 9 darters in and winning titles with endless records. Breaking them on debut versus seasoned pro’s who have been the best on the planet for years. This is edge of the seat stuff most men will think WTF, how can a kid do that.
The VT will be just as good as Keely’s, I also think Emma will get a cracking one.

Hopefully he can finish the year in style and get that cherry on the cake

and winning titles

won't be shown doing that

Prem league is massive tbf verses the elite, 9 in total some pros never win that in their career lol hence the media frenzy.
Thing is stu runner up at worlds which got whole planet talking is part of this year and will play a massive part in the VT reminding casuals and upcoming documentary.

Tbf you should play smart at this point and make him healthy green at cheap levels, it’s a no brainer for whole forum tbh

He's already a tiny green for me army, due to such nice trading moves from Keely - my only real big reds now are Ainslie and Lando

Fair enough, darts is the big unknown and whether it can produce a brexit type of vote against the stalwart historical vote of SPOTY. Taylor got a decent 2nd tbh against Tony’s 400,000 I believe, not home to check. I think there is massive crossover with horse racing and darts so Taylor was extremely unlucky that year to bump into Tony winning his 1st long over due national.
Taylor’s vote for me was vastly underrated whatever it was and Littler is just in another realm in popularity compared to Phil was.

Tbh I think Littker has overtook him inside 1 year, 25 and under support if they vote is potentially insane stu, Taylor never had that on his metrics

It comes down to basically a different type of support and campaign - Taylor was a darts and sports legend a bit like McCoy.

If Littler can find same level of support just from his attributes then fair play, I'm just not convinced.

I still think this is the best bet I’ve ever seen in my life

Not sure why you think Taylor got more general support.
world championship when he won it got 888k viewers and spoty was watched by 6.8m

This years championship peaked at 4.8m and last years spoty averaged 2.9m

Darts fans now outnumber Spoty viewers

Not sure why you think Taylor got more general support.

I mean more general voters or sports fans (vs just a darts fan etc)

Longevity, and being a world known name in his sport - what I mean is support from people who weren't just specifically darts fans, i.e. more general sports fans voting for him.

Yes, it's possible for Littler - but I don't see the gravitas there personally in the reasons to support him.

Again max is outperforming the car. Lando well on top but max should be 2nd