Simon Whitlock has vowed to draw on all of his experience and battling qualities as he aims to kick-start his Premier Darts League season in Exeter this weekend.
The world number three is disappointed to be still searching for his first points of the campaign after four weeks of action.
But Whitlock insists that he remains confident he can avoid relegation after nine weeks as he prepares to take on Wes Newton in Exeter on Thursday.
“It’s not been a great start to the Premier League for me and I have felt under the weather for the first few weeks,” said the 45-year-old Australian.
“But I’ve got to put that behind me now and look forward. There are five games to go before two people get eliminated and I probably need to win four of them.
“That’s going to be tough but I’m a battler and will keep going. One victory will bring a lot of confidence and hopefully I can get that against Wes in Exeter.
“I’ve got a lot of experience of big matches and I will need that on Thursday night.”
Whitlock is determined not to lose touch with the players immediately above him in the table as the season develops.
“At the moment, I’m only four points off fifth place so two or three wins on the trot would make a huge difference to my season,” added the ‘Wizard of Oz’.
“But my only focus at the moment is on the game against Wes. I know it’s vital to my chances of climbing the table.”
It’s a hectic weekend for Whitlock who will be in action at the UK Open in Minehead from Friday night.
He will face either Ronny Huybrechts or Adrian Gray in the third round, to which he has received a bye.
Article courtesy of Simon Whitlock’s sponsor Leyland Paints.
Leyland Paints was founded in 1922 and has a long and distinguished history as a manufacturer and supplier of decorative paints, particularly targeted at tradesmen.