Van Gerwen: There's more in the tank!

Michael van Gerwen (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Michael van Gerwen ominously believes that he will continue to improve after opening the Unibet Premier League with back-to-back victories.

Reigning champion Van Gerwen is aiming to claim his fifth successive Premier League title this year and also to equal Phil Taylor's record of six wins in the competition.

The world number one meets Nathan Aspinall at a sold-out Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Thursday, as he looks to follow up his impressive wins over Peter Wright and Daryl Gurney with a third straight victory.

Van Gerwen is the only player to have won his opening two Premier League games, and believes that he can continue to improve as he targets an eight successive season topping the league table.

"I had to work really hard in the last few weeks to progress myself and to do better but I can't really complain," said Van Gerwen.

"I know there's still more in the tank and some bits and pieces I can improve, and that only gives me more motivation. 

"I'm back where I belong, top of the table, where I've been in the last few years and I want to stay there. In the Premier League it's not about luck, it's about consistency.

"I always want to aim for perfection. Of course that's something insane sometimes but you need to make sure you do anything in your possibility so you don't make any mistakes, and I think I'm doing quite well.

"I don't have to prove anything because I know what I'm capable of.  When I play my game, they don't have a chance - simple.

"People shouldn't doubt me - I know where I my strengths are and my weaknesses and I'm a complete player. When something doesn't go my way I know what I have to do to make sure it goes my way again."

Van Gerwen has begun 2020 with new darts after changing manufacturers to Winmau, and admits that he is still tinkering to find his most suitable set-up.

"I'm still testing - I gave myself a few months," he said. "Even the smallest details in the darts are really important for us, but so far, so good - we're doing quite well.

"We're working really hard to make sure I get the right set-up, the right mindset. The total package has to be right, and so far I can't really complain."

Van Gerwen's clash with reigning UK Open champion Aspinall sees the pair meet in a rematch of the World Championship semi-final in December, which the Dutchman won 6-3.

"If I do my normal thing, I know what I'm capable of. Nathan is a guy in form, he won a ProTour [event] but he didn't really show it on television yet and he has to prove himself," added Van Gerwen.

"There's nothing for me to prove, I just need to make sure I do the right things against him."

2020 Unibet Premier League
Night Three - Thursday February 20

Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Peter Wright v Rob Cross
Jonny Clayton v Michael Smith
Michael van Gerwen v Nathan Aspinall
Daryl Gurney v Gerwyn Price
Glen Durrant v Gary Anderson
Tickets: Sold Out