‘They’re weak as f***’ – Michael van Gerwen in savage swipe at darts rivals ahead of fourth Premier League darts night

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has delivered a savage swipe at his rivals - accusing them of a "weak mindset". Mighty Mike, 35, is looking to win his first Premier League Darts event of the season in Exeter on Thursday. The Dutchman - a seven-time Premier League winner - sits third in the early standings after reaching three consecutive semi-finals.

MVG is confident his strong record in the competition will stand him in good stead for the rest of the season. But 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. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. 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.

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. 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 - Westpoint Exeter - Thursday February 27. Night 5 - The Brighton Centre - Thursday March 6. Night 6 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham - Thursday March 13. Night 7 - Utilita Arena, Cardiff - Thursday March 20.

Night 8 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle - Thursday March 27. Night 9 - Uber Arena, Berlin - Thursday April 3. Night 10 - AO Arena, Manchester - Thursday April 10. Night 11 - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam - Thursday April 17. 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.

And he reckons it could be on the stage in Exeter where we see peak Van Gerwen return. 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.