Barney to lose more than he realises

Raymond Van Barneveld. 4 times BDO world champion, 2 time BDO masters champion, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world whilst in the BDO. Made an instant impact when he moved to the PDC. UK open Champion 2 years running, Desert Classic Champion and added a 5th World title when he beat Phil Taylor in arguably the best ever World Final. In between he gave Taylor stern tests in a way very few had done before. He was widely regarded as the man who could take Taylor even if Taylor was on form.

But recently he has been struggling for form, diagnosed with diabetes and generally looks dis-interested and deflated. So how can he have gone from one extreme to another?

It all seems to have started when he lost to Phil Taylor in the 2009 World Final. Barney had never come against anything like it. Losing 7-1 despite a 103 average with Taylor setting a new world record. He moved to play Taylor after being told Taylor was the only player better than he was. Thing is with Taylor, he gets beat he makes damn sure whoever beat him doesn't do again. Barney had never came up against anyone with that mentality.

Did Barney get complacent? Did he think because he'd beat Taylor in a final once, he would do it again? Or did Taylor take the game to such a level that Barney believes he will never match it? Has the diabetes complicated things? Is Barney simply weak minded? His tribute to Taylor in the Vegas classic was bordering on a marriage proposal yet Taylor is openly questioning Barneys approach which is probably messing up Barney even more.

Whatever it is, Barney needs to realise that he's not in a unique position. No-one can really match Taylor on form. But Taylor is the least of Barney's problems at the moment. With Barney not entering floor tournaments its giving other players a chance to get experience and money to move up the table and they're taking full advantage of this fact.

King, Whitlock, Osborne, Lewis to name a few all showing signs of them beginning to really come through and push hard. With Wade, Jenkins and Baxter also in the PL Barney is not gaining any advantage there. Van de Voort got his maiden win, Walsh winning last week and even the returning Chris Mason showing great form at the moment. Its small things but over time they add up. Barney is already at risk of dropping down the rankings and missing TV events. This may start irritating sponsors and with other players coming through, the PDC may drop him from future marketing possibly resulting in further loss of earnings. He has ditched his manager but he really needs to get his head and diabetes under control but is it too late?

Form is temporary, class is permanent. Barney is class but he needs to start believing that again.