'I’ve been eating healthier and that’s definitely included less booze' - Dave Chisnall hoping new health kick can get him back amongst PDC's elite

It’s been a tough few weeks for Dave Chisnall. In his latest diary update, he didn’t sugar-coat it, stating his form’s dipped with results not going his way, and he’s feeling the effects of a packed summer on the tour. After a run of Players Championship events and the World Matchplay, Chizzy admits he’s feeling a bit knackered. The energy’s not quite there, and it’s shown in his performances. Missed doubles, dropped legs he should’ve closed out, and matches that just didn’t go his way, it’s been frustrating. But he’s not panicking.

In typical Chisnall fashion, there’s no drama. He’s honest, but also realistic. That’s the game, he says. "My head is still a bit puzzled how I can be so inconsistent," he writes in his column for Kwiff. "Once a few darts go astray, you tend to lose you concentration and then the frustration kicks in."

Sometimes it just doesn’t click. You put the hours in, you travel up and down the country, and you still end up scratching your head when the darts don’t land how you want them to. He’s been around long enough to know these spells come and go, and it’s about staying level through it all. "I should have kept my composure but sometimes you start to get wound up needlessly. And by that stage then, you’ve already lost because you’re in your own head," he explains. "I still haven’t completely got out of this bad patch of form – but not through a lack of trying."

August is a bit quieter, and for Chisnall, that’s not a bad thing. After such a busy schedule, he’s using the break to reset not just physically, but mentally too. He’s not hammering the practice board every day right now. Instead, he’s taking care of himself, resting, and getting ready for what’s next. That includes a return to action later this month at the Players Championship in Leicester and, more importantly, defending his title at the Flanders Darts Trophy.

"No darts – except a few exhibitions – until the end of April. There’s nothing on our schedule until more Players Championship action, and then I defend my Flanders Darts Trophy. I hope they don’t ask for it back, as it was broken in the case coming home 12 months ago!" Chizzy laughs.

That one’s circled on his calendar. Defending a title always adds a bit of motivation, and Chizzy knows what he’s capable of when he’s in the right rhythm. He’s hoping that familiar venue and the memories of winning there last year will give him the edge he needs to kickstart the second half of his season. "The kids are both off for the summer holidays now so it is nice to be home, and in my head, it isn’t until September when we all get into a proper routine is back. When the kids are back to school, and the football’s back I tend to get into a proper rhythm with life. Is that just me, or is anyone else like that?"

Looking back at Blackpool and the World Matchplay, there’s some frustration, but also perspective. He felt good walking out onto that stage again, and the crowd gave him a boost. But darts can be brutal, you miss one or two chances, and suddenly the match is out of your hands. That’s exactly what happened. He knows he had chances and didn’t take them. But he also knows it wasn’t far off.

"Darts is a bit like tennis or golf in the sense that all the onus is on you. There’s no team-mates to carry you and only you can change it," he explains. "I can get advise and people tell me ‘it’ll come’ and all that stuff but in reality only I can sort my form out and get better."