Mardle backs Van Gerwen to return to top form after World Matchplay defeat to Durrant: 'I don't see there being a massive problem now'

Michael van Gerwen lost out to Glen Durrant as he looked to return to form after a poor period for the World Number One, he showed glimpses of being back to his best and for Wayne Mardle, he doesn't believe it will be a massive problem going forward.

He added that for him despite not being able to replicate one dart to the next that he's gone out of the competition with some positives that he can take forward.

Despite that though he admitted that Van Gerwen won't take the positives himself because he's a winner and in reality he doesn't like to lose.

"At least he went out playing well," Mardle told Sky Sports' Dave Clark.

"He didn't go out with a debacle of a performance. I don't see there being a massive problem now. I think he's actually done himself credit mentally through playing better than he did in the first game.

"In the first game he just looked out of sorts and early on against Durrant he was out of sorts.

"There was a 60 he hit that was right on the top of the wire and you're thinking he's going to follow, but there was a big five that followed.

"He couldn't replicate one dart from the next, then he started to do that. At least he's gone out with a couple of positives."

"Going out is all that matters to Michael. He's lost- he's a winner and he doesn't like to lose," he added.

"Whenever Michael gets beat it's a huge story in the world of darts. He doesn't normally get beaten let's be honest. He's won three world titles, he's won the Matchplay twice, five Premier Leagues.

"We're used to seeing him winning and he got beaten by a man that was better. He was better for longer and that's why he won."