MVG blasts rivals "didn't have big mouths"

By Phil Lanning

MIGHTY Michael van Gerwen blasted his rivals “didn’t have big mouths” when he was in top form on the oche.

The Dutchman acted angrily to suggestions from his fellow pros that he was “vulnerable” coming into the Betfred World Matchplay.

MVG was far from his best but still comfortably disposed of Steve Beaton 10-6 to line-up a mouthwatering clash of the current PDC and BDO World Champs against Glen Durrant tonight (Tuesday).

He vowed: “It’s quite weird because I have seen other top players average less than 93, I think that is absolutely poor and they say that is good form.

“I don’t know what the difference is, maybe the standard I set myself and that’s why I’m the best.

“It’s quite easy for them to say now I fancy to beat him. They didn’t have the big mouths the last few years.

“You have to believe in yourself, give yourself confidence. What everyone says I don’t really care. You always have to aim for perfection and that’s how you become a winner.”

It’s quite remarkable that MVG’s form is being called into question after he has already won the World Championship and Premier League in a canter this year.

MVG seems to find it quite amusing that his opponents are trying to find a chink in his armour to undermine his ability to reel off major after major.

There’s no doubt that the clash with Durrant, who smashed Adrian Lewis 10-4, is the corker of the last 16.

MVG was clearly miffed about his form against Beaton on Sunday night though. He added: “I didn’t play 100 per cent my game, I could have done a lot better than this but a win is a win at the end of the road.

“I’m into the next round, of course I was frustrated with the darts for myself early in the game. I started off quite well with good scoring but my doubles didn’t really help me.

“I always want to be at 100 per cent and it’s sometimes quite difficult, I’m not a robot. Of course I’m not in the best form of my life.

“You have to fire back. If you don’t fire back you are never going to manage to win tournaments again.

“I think I do put too much pressure on myself. I always want to throw well, I always want to perform the best I can but that’s not always possible. But that’s also part of darts and it makes you stronger in the long run. I don’t hope that road is so long!”

Images: Taylor Lanning.