Wade casts doubt on recent major winners: "Would they have won it under normal circumstances, no not a chance"

James Wade is through to the second round at the European Championship and will now take on Nathan Aspinall in Oberhausen on Friday afternoon.

Wade spoke afterwards and said that in a game which went all the way to a final leg, he wasn't at where he should be but he claimed the win.

"A bit sticky at times, probably not where I should have been or how I could have been but you know he's not an easy opponent but playing my best game he should be but I won and I'm good enough and I got through so I'm very very happy," said Wade post match.

In terms of getting back in the top ten, Wade admitted that he has other issues on his mind and potentially wouldn't play darts at the moment if he could.

"I'm not too worried about it to be fair, there's bigger world worries than me staying in the top ten. I'm really not sure what's going on with the world," he continued.

"I'm really lucky I think in some ways that I'm playing darts but you know when I go home I look at my son and I look at my wife and I think have I got COVID or not and that for myself is very uncomfortable."

"If I'm honest I'm very grateful I'm still playing darts but I'd be quite happy to sit back and relax for a little while."

Also 'The Machine' spoke about playing behind closed doors and believes that some of the players who have won major tournaments during the restart wouldn't have done with fans there.

"You've only got to see some of the winners at major tournaments, would they have won it under normal circumstances no, not a chance. The standard that has been over tournaments it wouldn't have happened. It is what it is and I think without a crowd a lot of other players have had a chance to step forwards and put their name on the mark."