"He might have to admit to himself, 'I’m not one of the top 32 players in the world right now'" - Michael Smith's hunger in question says Paul Nicholson

For the first time in 12 years(!), Michael Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay in 2025. With his silde down the rankings starting post-PDC World Darts Championship win, Paul Nicholson says this could be the reality check needed for 'BullyBoy' to question his hunger and start his redemption.

Speaking to TalkSport Darts' YouTube channel, former PDC major winner Nicholson refuted the idea that Smith's absence from Blackpool this year was a surprise. "No, he shouldn’t be there. It’s as simple as that. It’s not even close," assessed The Asset. "If you look at the way Ryan Joyce qualified compared to Michael Smith — it’s a big gap. We’re not talking about something like when Mark Webster missed out on the Grand Prix by £50, which happened 14 years ago. That’s a close call. This is £5,000. That’s like making a final on the Pro Tour, or the equivalent of five first-round exits. It’s not close."

"The Pro Tour ranking system is actually very fair as a reflection of what Michael’s done over the past 12 months. A lot of people forget—the Matchplay race started last July. It’s a one-year ranking. He hasn’t done enough to be in the top 16 of that list," Nicholson continues. "So, as far as his absence goes — it’s fair. And if Bully Boy had got in, looking at what Ryan Joyce has achieved over the last year — strong Euro Tour runs, consistent floor performances — it would probably be more controversial if Michael was in and Ryan was out."

As mentioned though, Nicholson also sees this as the perfect chance for Smith to reset his career. "I’ve got a strong opinion on this. I think this is a big opportunity for him. Every piece of adversity brings a chance. This is his chance to sit back this summer and ask, 'Where do I go from here?'" Nicholson explains. "If he had scraped in, he might’ve just said, 'That’s okay, we’re still moving in the right direction.' But now he has to step back and really think, 'What do we do now?'"

As for advice for Smith, Nicholson suggests that whilst the former world champion's talent is undeniable, maybe his hunger is not what it used to be. "I’d sit him down for two hours and just listen. I want to know how hungry he is. I want to know what he wants for the future — and I don’t want the stock answers: 'I want to be world champion again,' or 'I want to win the Matchplay.' That’s not going to happen when you’re not in the field," Nicholson says of the advice he'd give Smith.

"Maybe he needs to take a step back and realise — he’s no longer a Premier League player. He’ll always be a world champion — that can’t be taken away. But Michael van Gerwen said something very honest earlier this year: 'Judge me on the player I am now, not who I was five or six years ago.' Michael was spot on. We have to judge Michael Smith on who he is now, not who he was in 2023," continues Nicholson. "So I want to hear how he talks about his career now, and what his genuine goals are. Because they have to be different than they were two years ago."

"We’ve had Michael on a pedestal for a long time. We know his skill level. And I think what we’ve praised most in the last 18 to 24 months is his ability to dig deep. That’s how he became a Grand Slam and World Champion — by being more resilient," he adds. "But this is a whole new level of digging deep. He might have to admit to himself, “I’m not one of the top 32 players in the world right now,” despite what the rankings say. So he needs to ask: What got me there? What’s going to get me back? What do I need to prioritise to return to being world number one? Hard questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be brutally honest."

One lingering problem Smith has been dealing with however, is injury and arthritis in his wrist. "That could actually enhance his career. Look at what happens when people come back," proposes Nicholson though. "Take Nathan Aspinall — we thought he was finished. He’s had multiple injuries. But look at him now. He’s fit, flying, and arguably one of the most popular dart players in the world outside of the Lukes."

"If anyone can inspire Michael, it’s Nathan. They’re very close," he explains. "After the Matchplay, it might do Michael good to spend time with Nathan and just talk. Ask him, 'What did you do in your dark times? How did you get out of it?' These lads are tight. They’ll always listen. And that kind of chat could be crucial."