James Wade interview: Silencing the critics, players being petrified of MVG and the 'Contenders' format

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James Wade was still waiting for his eighth televised title towards the end of 2018 - well over four years after his last - but by the start of February he was one win away from taking that tally to double figures.

Although his third final in the last six big events may have ended in defeat against resurgent world champion Michael van Gerwen at the Masters, the tournament was yet another reminder that Wade's expert timing is becoming as dangerous as it once was.

The Machine's renaissance as a major winner once more - first at the European Championship just 13 days after the birth of his first son Arthur and then seven days later at the World Series of Darts Finals - earned him re-selection into the Premier League after being left in the cold last year and began his campaign with victory over Raymond van Barneveld.

However, Wade is far from surprised by his comeback, which he believes is nothing more than 'moving in the right direction', and enjoyed shutting up the critics.

The 35-year-old told Sporting Life Darts: "I think winning those trophies and reaching the Masters final shocked everyone else more than me because I've always known I had the ability. It's something I should be doing even if I know it can't happen all the time.

"I'm not even playing that well at the moment - it's just my good timing, as always.

"It's nice to quieten people down. People tend to harp on about me more than people who have never won anything so it's nice to say 'there you are, here's some more trophies to add to the collection that I've already won'!"

The Aldershot thrower won the World Matchplay (2007), Premier League (2009), World Grand Prix (2007 & 2010) and UK Open (2008 & 2011) during the height of his powers but the one big prize missing from his CV is, of course, the World Championship.

But Wade said: "It's not the be all and the end all. I wouldn't swap everything I've already won for two world titles. I believe it's something I will win, it's just a case of when.

"I'm still not playing as well as I could be - and I don't think I'm close to that level if I'm being honest. But by winning titles and reaching finals despite not being at my best it shows what I can achieve."

Wade doesn't subscribe to the theory that being left out of last year's Premier League could have helped his revival, adding: "I don't think being left out of the Premier League was ever the right thing for me - but they felt they had stronger player at the time and you respect that because they have a business to run. Does it do you any good being left out? Not really, because it makes you doubt what you're doing."

Contenders ready

The hot topic for this year's Premier League is the 'Contenders' concept, as nine guest players take it in turns to replace the withdrawn Gary Anderson up to and including Judgement Night.

Chris Dobey lit up Newcastle on opening night to face Mensur Suljovic while Wade's 'Anderson replacement' will be the super talented world youth champion Dimitri van den Bergh in Rotterdam on Wednesday, March 27.

Even though the Machine insists Simon Whitlock should have been brought into the line-up on a permanent basis, he can see the merits of giving youngsters and older debutants like Glen Durrant the chance to taste the experience of the PDC's lucrative road show, but he definitely can't quite fathom why there are points on the line in these matches.

He said: "I think the whole idea of having different opponents for different players is incorrect. You've got different standards of players playing in different places and for those points to be used is beyond me. I won't go into the names of the players who I think are better than others but some have easier games.

"It's not a fair way of doing it. But whoever makes the rules has decided this and you've got to respect that and get on with it. I'm sure all the players agree on that point but it is what it is.

"However I think it's great that the younger players and those who haven't done it before are getting an opportunity to get involved. It's great for them and maybe it's an idea they'll keep forever now.

"I'd be fine with the idea just without the points counting. They could have been exhibition matches.

"The Premier League has been the same for a long time and people wanted it shaking up. But if I'd made the decision, Simon Whitlock would have been included hands down."

Who can stop MVG?

Van Gerwen's form is ominous after he silenced the doubters in emphatic fashion by reclaiming the world title for the third time on New Year's Day before winning a fifth successive Masters earlier this month.

Since then he beat Ally Pally runner-up Michael Smith in his Premier League opener before claiming a third straight title in Saturday's Players Championship event, although his 22-match winning streak did come to an end against Jonny Clayton 24 hours later.

The world number one, who ended last season with 'just' five individual TV titles among his 19 individual overall, is now firmly expected to get his hands back on some of the big trophies that got away in 2018, such as the World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts.

But Wade will have no fear of meeting MVG in any future final despite the disappointment of the Masters and feels a lot of players are almost beaten before they've even thrown a dart against him.

He said: "I still think some are petrified of playing him to be honest. When I played him in the Masters final I was absolutely knackered and he's a younger man used to playing the longer days.

"I've only been back contending on the longer days in the longer matches for the last six months - so it's going to take a bit of working on from my behalf.

"I don't think the gap is anywhere near as big as what people make it out to be from certain players. Some players collapse and give in before a dart is thrown but there's others who'll play him just like they'd play anyone else.

"I'm not someone who goes on averages - I go on performances - but a lot has changed for him too. He's got a family now and he's getting more out of his daughter and spending time with her. You've got to ask where he's happier - on stage or with his family? That might take a bit off his game, it's human nature."

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