Gurney targets a maiden Premier League triumph against MVG in Berlin
Thursday 22 February 2018 17:54, UK
Daryl Gurney will bid to claim his first win of the Premier League when he takes on Michael van Gerwen in Berlin on Thursday.
World Grand Prix champion Gurney is one of four Premier League debutants this season, but the Northern Irishman has failed to taste victory despite picking up a couple of valuable points with draws against Raymond van Barneveld and Gerwyn Price.
He went down 7-4 on Night Two to table-topper Michael Smith, and now faces a daunting task against world No 1 and defending champion Van Gerwen.
Gurney is hoping to hit his best form when the Premier League makes its first visit to Berlin on Thursday, in front of a record 12,000 fans.
The way I've played in the last couple of weeks, I've been steady enough, playing okay but I can play so much better.
"I've got to cut out the mediocre stuff, play proper darts - the way I have been practising," Gurney told the official PDC website.
"The way I've played in the last couple of weeks, I've been steady enough, playing okay but I can play so much better.
"I'm putting in the practice and hitting more 100 averages than I ever have, and for some reason I keep wiring doubles on the stage."
Gurney concedes that he needs to be more ruthless on the oche, not least after letting slip a 5-1 lead against Welshman Price.
"Gerwyn got back in the game and for some reason I seemed to get nervous," added the 31-year-old from Derry.
"I still got a point - it could be worse. I'm putting myself in a good position but I need to keep my foot on the gas.
"I'm going to have to take it the same way I took the Barneveld game. It was the same thing, but you've got to take it on the chin."
The 2018 Premier League heads to the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on Thursday evening with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action, Main Event, and Mix. Twelve weeks of tungsten action will then continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.
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