Van Gerwen 'Torturing Himself' as Premier League Struggles Mount, Says Best Mate

By Lewis Barnett 20 April, 2025 5 mins read 93 Views

Damn. It's tough watching legends fall from grace.

I've followed MVG since his early days, and seeing him struggle like this feels like watching your favorite uncle have a midlife crisis. Vincent Van der Voort didn't mince words about his bestie this week, and honestly? The assessment was brutal but spot-on.

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The Painful Truth No One Wanted to Say

Van der Voort dropped a truth bomb that would make most friends uncomfortable. "With this level of play, Michael van Gerwen does not belong in the top four," he told De Telegraaf after MVG's latest disappointment. "If you don't win a single night, you have no business being in teh semi-finals."

Ouch.

Thursday night in Rotterdam was another gut punch for the Dutchman's fans. MVG lost 6-5 to Stephen Bunting despite clawing back from an abysmal start where his average in the first three legs was sub-70. I mean, I've seen better averages at my local pub on amateur night.

What the hell happened to the Green Machine?

Remember back in 2018 when MVG was practically unbeatable? I was at Alexandra Palace that December and watched him demolish everyone in his path. My mate bet me £50 he'd drop at least one set in the final. Easiest money I ever made.

Now 'Mighty Mike' sits fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind Nathan Aspinall. The three-time World Champion hasn't won a ranked televised major since the 2022 Players Championship Finals and is still titleless in 2025.

Van der Voort's assessment gets more painful: "Is he driving himself crazy? Of course he is. When you've been that good for so long, this must feel like pure torture."

The Invisible Enemy: Schedule Fatigue

I spoke with a PDC official last month (who shall remain nameless) who admitted the schedule is absolutely brutal. Van der Voort highlighted this exact issue.

"You need time to train, but during the Premier League, that time just doesn't exist," he explained. "It's incredibly frustrating. Only after it ends can he begin to rebuild."

I've watched MVG practice sessions in the past. The man would throw for 4-5 hours straight, fine-tuning everything. How do you maintain that level when you're constantly on planes, in hotels, and on stages?

From Hunter to Hunted

'The Dutch Destroyer' didn't hold back: "He's never going to reach the playoffs like this. Something drastic needs to happen."

"In the past, he owned the stage—the celebrations, the intensity, the fire. Now it all feels like routine. He seems drained. And honestly, it's hard to get fired up for a 41 score."

That last line hit me hard. Remember when MVG would hit a 180 and roar like he'd just conquered Everest? The man made scoring trebles look as natural as breathing.

Rock Bottom... But Not Out?

Listen. Despite everything, Van der Voort still believes in his friend. "If you put things into perspective, he's still just outside the top four or five. And this is him at rock bottom. That's something positive to take."

I watched MVG in January at the World Championship final. Even in defeat, there were flashes of brilliance. The talent doesn't just evaporate.

"He can turn it around," Van der Voort insisted. "He won't suddenly average 110 again every night, but even a strong B-game from Michael is good enough to reach the semi-finals."

The hard truth? "For the first time in years, he's not one of the favourites. Unfortunately."

I'm heading to Sheffield next week to watch Night 14. Will we see the old MVG or this new, struggling version? Either way, I'll be there, hoping for a glimpse of the genius that made him the most feared man in darts. Because legends might stumble, but they rarely stay down for long.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

Statistics

Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.

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Common Problems & How I Fixed Them

Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.