ANDY HAMILTON has warned against being written off ahead of the McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Offs in Thursday.
The Stoke ace finished third in the league table in his debut Premier League campaign, and faces Simon Whitlock in the semi-finals at The O2.
Should Hamilton go on to emulate Gary Anderson's achievement in taking victory in the Premier League in his first season, he would continue to defy the bookies who have made him the 10/1 outsider for the title and the pundits who expected him not to even reach the Play-Offs.
"Nobody expected me to get here, and whatever happens now is a bonus to me," said Hamilton. "I'll keep playing darts and keep fighting like The Hammer does.
"I'll be there fighting all the way. I'm enjoying it, I'm so happy and when you're happy playing darts then anything can happen.
"I've earned the right to be in the top four and the semi-final will be a battle again.
"I've got nothing to lose and I've got a lot to gain. On my day I can beat anybody, I know I can.
"I've played some great darts and I'll fight for a game as well - if someone wants a battle, give me the biggest battle ever. Don't write me off!"
Hamilton found himself bottom of the table after six weeks, and lost only once in the second half of the season - when he missed a chance to draw with Phil Taylor.
"The first half of my season was about learning, and I did that," he said. "It's been amazing [since] - I've lost to one person, Phil Taylor, in seven games.
"That proves how good I am and what I'm doing is grinding out results. I'm not saying I'm the best player there, but give me a chance and I'll take it.
"I feel privileged to be a part of this and it's the biggest buzz ever. This is the best eight players in the world, and it's given me so much confidence.
"I know how good I am, but I'm proving now how good I really am. I want to compete with the best players in the world and this is where I should be."
The World Championship finalist has been praised for his qualification for the Play-Offs by Phil Taylor, who takes on James Wade in the other semi-final and knows his Stoke rival Hamilton well.
"I'm over the moon for Andy," said Taylor. "Everybody was writing him and Kevin Painter off, but none of the players did because they know how good they are as we see them week in and week out.
"He's been good fun to be with, and when I say it's been the best Premier League, it's also been the best Premier League for the atmosphere in the back room - it's been buzzing every week."
Some tickets, including a small number of floor table seats, remain on sale for Thursday's McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Offs. To purchase, call 0844 856 0202 or visit www.theo2.co.uk.
McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Offs
The O2, London - May 17
Tickets: 0844 856 0202 or www.theo2.co.uk
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock v Andy Hamilton
Phil Taylor v James Wade
Best of 15 legs
PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship Final
Michael van Gerwen v James Hubbard
Best of 11 legs
McCoy's Premier League Darts Final
Taylor/Wade v Whitlock/Hamilton
Best of 19 legs
For all games, the order of throw will be decided by a bull-off pre-match in the practice room. Should a game go to a deciding leg, there would not be any further bull-off, meaning that the player who throws first in the opening leg of the game throws first in the deciding leg.
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