"I don't think he has ever looked this erratic": Chris Mason questions desire of out-of-sorts Michael van Gerwen as Littler clash looms

Chris Mason summed up the World Matchplay going through the different quarters for a lengthy interview with Online Darts with major concern in particular for Michael van Gerwen.

Mason broke down the opening round of the World Matchplay which begins this evening in Blackpool and he wondered whether a holiday was the best cause of action for him as he faces Luke Littler. For reference, MVG has been in a real slump.

After losing to Scott Williams at the World Championship, he has not performed in majors and only holds one title, a World Series. A player of his calibre has seen his thunder almost usurped by Luke Littler and Luke Humphries and while he isn't writing him off, Mason wonders whether it will ever return.

"I suppose that's a reflection of where Michael's game is right now which is very up and down. Very erratic. He's just been on holiday. There's a time to go away and especially where his game is right now is good timing. I would've liked to have seen him hooked up with another good player and basically took lumps out of each other," said Mason to Online Darts.

"I've said it and I've been saying it for years and now people are agreeing with me that the closing of the hand, when he's right he gets it right. But I don't think I've ever seen him have averages in and around 90's as much as he has in the last 12 months. There's no B game, his strength was that he would make a 100 average look ordinary. He doesn't seem to have that in the locker."

But he also sees concerns in facing Littler due to the lack of real discernible worry about the tie and the ability to thrive.

"I think he (Littler) is going to thrive in there and the pressure is going to be on Michael. Has Michael ever gone this amount of time apart from right at the beginning without a major. I can't think of one. We know how much he enjoys winning and how much with him winning breeds winning. It's always dangerous to someone like Michael to say I don't think he's going to win it. Because you know he's done it to us before where he's looked out of form. But I don't think he has ever looked this erratic since winning the World Grand Prix against Mervyn King way back."

"He's getting edged out in lots of them. I'm not sure the desire is there anymore to put the graft in. I say it all the time in commentary. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Picking the times to go on these holidays. This comes down to desire and sacrifices. Is he prepared to make those sacrifices anymore. Is it just a coincidence. Nothing lasts forever. The one thing you can't beat is time. He may well have had this."

But Mason sees there being one outright favourite and sticks to the bookies tip on that one in Luke Humphries. "I think that the fact that 14 Players Championships, 14 different winners that sort of backs up what you're saying there. It's tough. You've got your obvious contenders in Luke Humphries. Luke Littler his form looked a bit indifferent. He's had an operation on his feet. Not sure how much work he's been able to put in. If he's been able to put the graft in, he's certainly on the shortlist.

"Aspinall despite all his dramas, injuries and woes. He's a proud champion. He will come here and give it absolutely everything to defend his title."

"He's (Humphries) going to have to dodge a few bullets. When you look at the amount of titles he holds at the moment. The fact that he is the current World Champion. He's the World Number One. He's been playing some lovely stuff of late. He looks relaxed. I know he's tried to have a bit of downtime. I think he'll come in here really fresh. I think he'll hold respect of the potential clashes (with Bunting, Clayton or Van den Bergh), I don't think they'll hold any fear for him."

"His credentials and his resume right now speaks volumes. The big ones he's the main man. He showed maturity (at the World Cup), he captained that side despite Michael being a World Champion and a multiple major winner. No wonder the England football team is doing so well, they've no doubt been inspired by those two."

Another with question marks is Gerwyn Price and Mason spoke about his World Cup of Darts snub and that he got why he didn't play despite all the conjecture surrounding playing for your country.

"I think Gerwyn is his own man and does what he wants to do. I quite like that, I think it's refreshing I think sometimes there's a little bit too much asked of the players. I felt a little bit sorry for Jonny (Clayton). I thought him and Jim (Williams) were going to go alright. Didn't quite work out."

"He's won it before multiple times so I supposed he felt that if he was a bit under the weather and didn't fancy it. If you're going to miss one, why not miss that one."

Another tie is Gary Anderson v Michael Smith and it is one that Mason is buzzing for. But it is Rob Cross that in that section stands out after an epic year thus far.

"That's a fascinating tie. I'm really looking forward to that one because at some point this great form of Gary has got to transfer over to a big title. Ryan (Joyce) another who has been showing signs of big form. Ryan Searle another you're expecting to make the big step up. Ritchie Edhouse is another one you've got to be careful of. Rob Cross is for me one of the players of the year so far, he's been incredible in 2024 and could've won a lot more than he has. I think Cross could be one that everyone might be forgetting about."