Russ Bray says Michael van Gerwen has underachieved

Ahead of the PDC World Darts Championship, the legendary Russ Bray has told Ladbrokes that he thinks Michael van Gerwen has actually underachieved.

• "I reckon Luke Humphries goes back-to-back. I've bene with him in the last couple of weeks, and the kid is hitting form. He's just won the Ladbrokes Players Championship again - to me, he's the boy to beat."
• "If I could hand pick a winner, I'd love to see someone like Jonny Clayton do it. He's such a lovely man, he's got a lovely throw - there's no shenanigans with the guy. He's just an all-round lovely guy; I'd love him to win the Worlds."
• "You know, I'd even say Michael van Gerwen has underachieved. I know he's won three world titles, and a million others. But he's underachieved, in my opinion, because he's that good, that he could have won a lot more. I'm not talking about one or two titles, I'm talking a hell of a lot more."
• "I was with Adrian Lewis earlier this week, with Phil Taylor, Colin Lloyd and Devon Petersen. Adrian, in particular, though... you know, watching him throwing darts, his action is gorgeous. And it's never changed. It's so easy for him. It's a wonderful, wonderful throw. If he wants to, he can get back to somewhere near where he was a few years ago, I'm sure of it."
  

I reckon Luke Humphries goes back-to-back. I've bene with him in the last couple of weeks, and the kid is hitting form. He's just won the Ladbrokes Players Championship again - to me, he's the boy to beat.

To be honest, with Luke Littler having all of the hype around him, I actually think that's taken all of the pressure off of Humphries; the pressure is all going to be on Littler... there's no two ways about it. He's got a different kind of pressure this year. Because of everything he did last year at Ally Pally, and everything he's done in 2024, the expectation is a lot higher now - there's a lot more demand on him. He's got a target on his back, and they'll all be gunning for him. And look, he is beatable; he got beat in the first round of three majors this year, so that tells you everything.

If I could hand pick a winner, I'd love to see someone like Jonny Clayton do it. He's such a lovely man, he's got a lovely throw - there's no shenanigans with the guy. He's just an all-round lovely guy; I'd love him to win the Worlds. 

Watch out for the Filipino boys; that would be my statement, going into the Worlds. They pretty much topped the rankings in the Asian tour - I cover that tour, and they're the boys we need to be watching now. I'm not saying one of them is going to go and win the World Championship, but they can do a lot of damage. If they can get through that first round, they could be really exciting. 

We had a last year, with Hugo Leung, and Tomoya Goto, these boys had little runs, and it just showed that the Asian Tour is really working, and these players are getting better. They just need a little bit of a run; you know, someone like Lourence Ilagan - he's going to be playing Luke Woodhouse. That's a tough first round, but Ilagan is more than capable of turning him over. 

I started in darts back in the 1970s, when it was just totally dominated by the Brits - but now it's wide-open to the world.

I look back at players from over the years who perhaps could have gone on to do more, and win more. You know, Terry Jenkins is right up there for me; he was in eight finals and never won one - it's an underachievement. Wadey [James Wade] has won a lot of majors, but never won the Worlds. You just wonder why. These are the types of guys who are there or thereabout, but I'd say have underachieved. 

You know, I'd even say Michael van Gerwen has underachieved. I know he's won three world titles, and a million others. But he's underachieved, in my opinion, because he's that good, that he could have won a lot more. I'm not talking about one or two titles, I'm talking a hell of a lot more. One example, he got beat in the final of the UK Open a couple of years back, by Andrew Gilding. I'm not disrespecting Gilding, but nine times out of ten, Michael van Gerwen will beat him. That's another title gone. So, Michael has underachieved... he's still one of the greatest darts players there's ever been, but he could have won more, in my opinion.

I was with Adrian Lewis earlier this week, with Phil Taylor, Colin Lloyd and Devon Petersen. Adrian, in particular, though... you know, watching him throwing darts, his action is gorgeous. And it's never changed. It's so easy for him. It's a wonderful, wonderful throw. If he wants to, he can get back to somewhere near where he was a few years ago, I'm sure of it. There are plenty of names who I'd put up there for their throwing styles... Gary Anderson, Steve Beaton probably had the best throw ever, Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] too; they're all so silky smooth. I'd also put Luke Littler in there, as well, and Michael Smith.

But Aidy Lewis' throw is absolutely gorgeous. He's still a pleasure to call; he's got a lovely arm. I know he's looking at getting back into things next year. Darts is his life, you know, it's his living. I'm pretty certain he can do some damage. Especially now, because he's not been about for a while. He's got to go and get a tour card, and things like that, but he can certainly do some damage.

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