quick to remind people hes not at that point yet. "I think a lot

The battle at both ends of the Premier League table will intensify on night eight of the Premier League at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.With Judgement night drawing closer, bottom-placed Robert Thornton will be desperately searching for points in his double-header this Thursday.At the top, leader Michael van Gerwen will be trying to hold off the chasing trio of Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and James Wade, with live coverage starting at 7pm on Sky Sports 1. Michael Smith v Robert Thornton Michael Smith badly needs a win from the opening clash with Thornton The schedule starts with a survival battle and Thornton badly needs a win against fellow struggler Smith to keep his hopes alive.Thornton would draw level with Smith on three points if he picks up his first win of the campaign, piling more pressure on Dave Chisnall, who is third from bottom on the same points tally.But a win for Smith would push Thornton closer to the trap door and give The Bully Boy a real boost in his own bid to avoid an early exit. Sky Bet odds: Smith 10/11, tie 4/1, Thornton 2/1Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall Gary Anderson added two more wins on night seven Chisnall desperately needs a result against Anderson after last weeks loss to Raymond van Barneveld, his fourth straight defeat.But this is not an ideal night to face Anderson, who has surged up the table and sits just a point behind Van Gerwen.The Scotsman defeated Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright on night seven and will be seeking his sixth straight win against Chizzy.Sky Bet odds: Anderson 4/7, tie 9/2, Chisnall 3/1Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld Raymond van Barneveld claimed a much needed win over Dave Chisnall Lewis and Van Barneveld have both struggled to produce consistent form since the start of the competition.Jackpot averaged 93 in a lacklustre 7-4 defeat against Anderson last week, but Barney did halt his own worrying slump with a 7-4 win over Chisnall.Van Barneveld is still looking a little anxiously over his shoulder and needs another result to ease any lingering elimination worries.Lewis 11/10, tie 7/2, Van Barneveld 7/4Phil Taylor v Peter Wright Phil Taylor stayed within striking distance of leader Michael van Gerwen Taylor is just one leg adrift of Van Gerwen after battling back from 5-1 down to claim a 6-6 draw with his Dutch rival.Snakebite Wright, however, let a point slip away as his three missed darts allowed Anderson to close out a 7-5 win. Such costly lapses are likely to be punished by The Power, who ended with a 60 per cent success rate on the doubles against Van Gerwen.Taylor 4/6, tie 4/1, Wright 11/4Michael van Gerwen v Robert Thornton Thornton defeated Van Gerwen at last years World Grand Prix The world No 1 was frustrated by Taylors fightback and the luckless Thornton could feel the force of a backlash by The Green Machine. Van Gerwen was denied victory, despite an average over 107, and treated the Glasgow fans to a fantastic 170 checkout.But Thornton has shown he can defeat Van Gerwen on the big stage, edging him out in last years World Grand Prix final.Van Gerwen 1/8, tie 9/1, Thornton 12/1Watch all the action from night eight of the Premier League this Thursday night, starting at 7pm on Sky Sports 1.Also See:PL night seven: Talking pointsWATCH: Taylor warns MVGPrem TableMVG and Taylor duke out drawJack Tingle Jersey Signed . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. Jack McCloskey Jersey Signed . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. https://www.cheapnbajerseysjustwholesale.com/roy-hinson-jersey-signed/ . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Dan Roundfield Jersey Signed . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Jimmy Darden Jersey Signed . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season.The last year has proven to be a huge growth period for Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban. From the lockout, to the contract negotiations that kept him out of the first few weeks of the season, to a Northeast Division title and Norris Trophy. He has grown as a player both on and off the ice. While Subban is a player who attracts and thrives in the spotlight, there is a calming and steady influence in his life day in and day out that keeps him grounded. That man is his father Karl. Teaming up with his son P.K., the Subbans are currently on tour with their Hyundai Hockey Helpers program, which provides assistance to families with the financial burdens of playing hockey. Through a grant system, the program helps with everything from enrollment to equipment. Hundreds of dealerships across Canada contribute financially, including 61 in Quebec. Last year, the program helped 1800 kids, including 339 in La Belle Province. For Karl Subban, its all about helping out at the grassroots level. "Hockey is not an end; its a means to an end. This here gives meaning. Being involved with the Hyundai Hockey Helpers program is right up our alley. I wouldnt want to be doing anything else right now" he remarked during a press conference in Montreal. "Helping kids to develop, helping others to develop, I mean, what better way to spend our lives." After listening to Karl speak, its not hard to see why he has been a steady influence on all three of his boys, especially P.K. who is the first to crack the NHL. His encouragement is unwavering, but so is his support and guidance, reminding his son, that a Norris Trophy is a great honour, but there is much work to be done. "If yesterdays achievement is as big today, then your focus is not in the right place" said Karl. Even though his son is a star player in the NHL, hes not afraid to play the parent role every once in a while. "He knows that hes obligated to his fans, the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL. His focus is in the right place and if its not, Karl Subban and Maria Subban, his parents, will make sure that his focus is on the Stanley Cup and the Montreal Canadiens." Despite his input, that doesnt mean he gets involved on the business side of things. "PK is in good hands" "I know my role is to support him and also to discipline him if he needs disciplining" joked Karl. There are times as well when not much needs to be said, as was the case during P.K.s contract talks. "I didnt have to say too much to him" said Karl. "People dont know this, the first game that Montreal played, we were at home sitting at our dinner table on a Saturday night, and he had his head down in the table, because he missed the game so much. So I didnt have to say much, because I know how much he loves the game and he wanted to play bad." That drive to pplay the game, is the passion that fuels Subban on the ice, which at times gives his game a bit of an edge that he embraces, and makes no apology for.dddddddddddd "Well of course I had a chip on my shoulder, its a shortened season and I want to win the Cup. If Im not playing with a chip on my shoulder, Im not effective. I think playing with that chip on my shoulder has got me into trouble sometimes, but I always play with a chip on my shoulder" remarked P.K. That style of play has also brought on its fair share of cheers, comments and at times, criticism, in which P.K. takes all in stride. "People being critical of me doesnt bother me at all" said P.K. "People can say whatever they want, if you look at what Ive kind of gone through in the past three years playing in Montreal, Ive been through the ups and downs of everything, I mean some people go through their whole careers and dont experience some of the things that not only myself, but my teammates have experienced in Montreal." Over the years, his father has helped guide him through the rough times with some strong words of self-encouragement. "Your potential lies inside of you, it gives you the ability to reach for something to become something. So it doesnt matter what people say around you, its not going to change whats inside of you. Theres greatness inside of you" stated Karl. And that personal drive is what keeps Subban motivated to strive for bigger goals and not rest on his Norris Trophy. "When I look at the past three years, Ive tried to get better every season. I dont think anyone really predicted that I would have won a Norris Trophy, but I mean look at our team, look at how well we played last year. Thats the best team weve had in the last three years that Ive been here, so, Im just a beneficiary of that." Coming off the accolades from this past season, several people wonder what the next contract offer from the Canadiens and Marc Bergevin will be, yet P.K. is quick to remind people hes not at that point yet. "I think a lot of people forget, I signed a two year deal, so I still have another year on my contract." At just 24 years of age, P.K. Subban still has a lot of growth ahead of him, and many years to come of becoming an elite player in the NHL. His two younger brothers Malcolm and Jordan also have the long road ahead of them with NHL aspirations. Through all the stardom, ups and downs and reality of being a Montreal Canadiens player, its good to know that Karl is still that calm, grounding and positive influence on his son. "We see the glass as half full, the cup is never half empty. And he has so much to be thankful for. Hes living his dream, hes making a lot of money, hes achieving and hes helping children. So if he focuses on the positive, the positive will outweigh the negative." ' ' '