MVG: I can have a bad day... it just doesn’t happen very often
NEVER mind the ballots – Michael van Gerwen is in poll position to win a fourth world title.
And as the clear favourite to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy again surveys the cast of pretenders and contenders at Alexandra Palace, he warned there are only three or four rivals capable of turfing him off his throne.
Of the 96 entrants at the William Hill World Darts Championship, only five have taken the title.
Apart from three-time winner Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson has discovered the joys of fishing, Adrian Lewis has only climbed halfway out of a career slump, Rob Cross needs a vote of confidence and Raymond van Barneveld is clinging on to past glory.
For the rest, MVG’s Shrek-green jersey appears to intimidate opponents into submission, like the All Blacks’ haka or the Kop in full cry.
Back home in Holland, the prime minister has MVG on speed dial.
On the last two occasions Van Gerwen has rung in the New Year as a world champion, Mark Rutte was one of the first on the blower to offer congratulations.
The No.1 seed said: “Anyone can have a bad day. It doesn’t happen that often, but I can have a bad day. Realistically, I think maybe three or four can win it. That’s my opinion.
“The last time I played someone who was better than me was Phil Taylor. Not in the final where he beat me (seven years ago) – I let him off the hook that night.
“But before that, he was better than me. He probably won more games against me than I won. I know he could still compete at the highest level, but not every week.
“People keep asking me if I will overtake Phil’s record of 16 world titles, but there’s no way.
“Even if I win the world championship every two years, I would have to play until I’m 50 to catch him – and that’s with a big target on my back. No chance.”
When Van Gerwen lands a crucial double he beats his chest and conducts his entourage.
He knows it gets up some of his rivals’ noses, but he also understands the value of getting inside their heads.
“I like to see fear in my opponent’s eyes,” said the 30-year-old winner of 35 televised majors.
“I don’t have any sympathy for them, why should I? Do you think they have any sympathy for me when I lose? This is quite a selfish game.
“I need to make sure I do the right things for myself. Other people can look after themselves.
“You have to sense when the other guy is downhearted and make sure you keep their confidence on the floor.
“You need to hurt them at the really important moments and when you do that, you know they are suffering.
“If you show weakness, or give them the feeling that they can hurt you, that’s something you should never do. Don’t give them any information. That makes it bad for yourself.
“But I’ll never get bored of winning – never. Winning is the best fuel. It gives you energy and it pays the bills, which is also important.”
Van Barneveld’s imminent retirement has given this year’s tournament a layer of sentiment, and the ‘Barney Army’ will be mobilised for his last stand.
But Van Gerwen, who faces either Jelle Klaasen or Kevin Burness tonight in round two, can only muster a qualified farewell, saying: “We don’t have to feel sorry for Raymond. He hates losing games, he cannot handle it any more, and that’s why he is stopping.
“Will he come back? I don’t know how bored he is going to get because he’s going to have a lot of spare weekends now.
“He’s got a nice new girlfriend and everything, but one day he’ll just want to go back on the tour.
“Does he still have the animal in him? That’s the question.”