Cullen looks back on narrow defeat to Van Gerwen at World Championship: "I didn't bottle it, I probably tried too hard"

Joe Cullen by his own admission saw his stock rise after the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship after a superb run which saw him lose out in the Last 16 to Michael van Gerwen in an absolute epic.

Cullen sat down before the Masters with Online Darts and discussed that as well as the potential criticism that may have been levied his way after Van Gerwen came from 3-1 down and survived two match darts.

"In regards to the World's, I think I had a steady draw. I've said in previous interviews, no disrespect to Wayne (Jones) but he is not the force he once was which is good for me but I think that eased me in," said Cullen to OnlineDarts.

"Then playing a good friend in Jonny (Clayton) was difficult but I managed to get through that one as well, didn't go my way in the Last 16 against Michael (van Gerwen) but I'm sure the way the game went, I think my stock has risen a bit."

"It still hurts when I sit down and think about it now but definitely plenty of positives to take from that."

"The majority probably 99% of comments I saw on social media were positive you know great game but you get the odd one you bottled it. I spoke to people close to me and I've bottled games in the past, I think every professional has but I didn't bottle it. I probably tried too hard."

Looking forward to The Masters, Cullen admits that he can see why the field which he will now be a part of has been increased but doesn't believe it should have been done in normal circumstances.

"Personally I think the Masters should stay as 16 like the snooker but I can totally understand why they've enhanced it to 24 with the way things are. It's more coverage, it's more players. I'm looking forward to Friday night."

There is also the added caveat of the Premier League which he admits he has a different mindset on then before.

"I think in the past when I've thought I've got half a chance, I've dwelled on it and not performed like I should so if I get in amazing, if I don't get in I will get in whether it will be next year, the year after that. I think it'll be interesting to see how people approach The Masters with that there and whether the Premier League will go ahead as scheduled."

"I think everyone is in the dark even the PDC who are picking them because they don't know when things are going to be back to normal."