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World Darts Championship star Chris Dobbie wants to see the game grow behind someone like his childhood hero Alan Shearer to bring a no-nonsense approach to his coverage.
Dobey is looking to make a deep run at this year’s World Darts Championship and as the No. 17 seed, he is one of the favourites.
He won the Masters at the start of the year and opens the tournament this evening against William O’Connor.
It has been a mixed year for Dobbie after victories in January, including a shock victory over reigning world champion Michael Smith in the World Matchplay.
Alan Shearer appears on BBC football coverage with Gary Lineker
the countryside
He also faced some criticism when Dobie admitted that his mother and father were his worst critics.
But the reigning Masters champion appreciates some hard truths being told and would like to see someone like Shearer do something similar in darts.
Dobbie said: “It was incredible to get that message when I won the first title, especially being a big Newcastle fan.
“At first I couldn’t really understand it. You think, ‘Did this really happen?’ ‘Did I really get a message from Alan Shearer?’
“I had to check my phone the next day to see if it was real or not.
“A few weeks later I met Alan at a match. I found a picture of him and my little boy Cole and he was healthy.
“Cole was looking at him and Shearer said, ‘You wouldn’t know who I am. I’m just the grumpy guy on Match of the Day’ which was quite funny.
“Shearer is a good pundit on the box, and we need more football-style pundits in darts to tell it like it is.
“We’re all friends, but if your game is bad you want someone to tell you the truth. Just tell you how it is. After I lose every game, my mom or dad is on the phone saying, ‘You were rubbish’.
Chris Dobbie wants more critical pundits in darts
the countryside
“That’s how you want to hear it. There are some players who are weak and they can’t handle the truth.”
“But if we tell people what they want it can make them stronger.”
O’Connor will be in a vulnerable position when he faces Dobbie tonight, but he hopes a first-round win can give him some confidence ahead of this evening’s match.
Latest Sports News:
Limerick’s Willie O’Connor was given the opportunity to have a word with his next opponent in the World Darts Championship, Chris Dobbie.
His reaction was priceless😅pic.twitter.com/Whsj5WJiAk
– balls.ie (@ballsdotty) 20 December 2023
“I know Chris and I know what he’s capable of,” he said.
“I’m expecting him to play very well and I’ll be ready for that.
“I hope I can either repeat this performance or do a little better. I know what I can do, so I just have to do it.”
