MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has delivered a savage swipe at his rivals – accusing them of a “weak mindset”.
Mighty Mike, 35, was hoping to win his first Premier League Darts event of the season in Exeter on Thursday.
The Dutchman – a seven-time Premier League winner – sat third in the early standings after reaching three consecutive semi-finals.
But he crashed out following a quarter final loss to Rob Cross, missing three match darts in the process.
MVG remains confident his strong record in the competition will stand him in good stead for the rest of the season.
And earlier this week he had a message for his “weak” rivals as he looks to regain his best form at the oche.
Van Gerwen told Sky Sports: “I’ve been playing in the Premier League for a little while.
“So to perform in front of all those people, it gives you joy, it gives you energy, and that’s what’s so nice about darts.
“A lot of people, they don’t have a mindset. You know what I mean?
“They just say they have a mindset, but they’re weak as f***. And that’s the way how it is.”
Van Gerwen, the World No. 3, narrowly missed out on a fourth world title last month.
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He was beaten 7-3 by teenage sensation Luke Littler in the Ally Pally final.
But MVG is confident his “best darts” are just around the corner.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”‘No one knows this’ – Luke Littler reveals unusual preparation for World Darts Championship and says ‘I had the visions'” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366665343112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]He continued:” You have to be honest to yourself, and when something is good, it’s good.
“When it is bad, it’s bad, and you have to move on, you have to face the problems, and when things don’t go your way, you have to work on it, and then have to move forward.
“[Talk about my form] happens when I am not even playing my best darts, so could you imagine if I played my best darts?”
PDC star Matthew Edgar believes MVG is on the cusp of returning to his former greatness.
[boxout headline=”Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues”]Night 1 – Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 – Glasgow: Littler beat Humphries 6-5
Night 3 – Dublin: Price beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 4 – Exeter: Humphries beat Littler 6-4
Night 5 – Brighton: Littler beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 6 – Nottingham: Price beat Littler 6-3
Night 7 – Cardiff: Littler beat Van Gerwen 6-4
Night 8 – Newcastle: Littler beat Humphries 6-1
Night 9 – Berlin: Bunting beat Price 6-5
Night 10 – Manchester: Aspinall beat Humphries 6-4
Night 11 – Rotterdam: Dobey beat Bunting 6-2
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29
Edgar told Sky: “I think he’s in a situation he probably doesn’t like.
“The conversation of who is the best player in the world has always been Michael van Gerwen or this or that player.
“But he’s not really in that conversation, despite the fact he reached a world final. He’s being overlooked.
“I think there’s going to be a backlash [from MVG].
“We’re going to see Michael van Gerwen hit back and hit back hard.”