MARK WEBSTER is expecting a backlash from Phil Taylor when they meet in the 888.com Premier League Darts at Nottingham's Capital FM Arena on Thursday.
Webster, 27, had ended Taylor's bid for a 16th World Championship title on New Year's Day, picking up a quarter-final victory over the Stoke legend at Alexandra Palace.
Thursday's Premier League contest will be their first game since, with Webster anticipating Taylor to be targeting revenge in Nottingham..
"It wasn't too long ago and I'm sure he hasn't forgotten, so I'm expecting some sort of a backlash," said Webster, who won on his Premier League debut against James Wade last week.
"To defeat him in a World Championship is something to stick on my CV but it didn't win me the tournament.
"I beat Phil and then 24 hours later I got beaten in the semis. I'd have sooner been in the other half of the draw and won the World Championship.
"It's not like the hard work was wasted because it helped to get me a spot in the Premier League, but my objective was to win the whole event and I didn't.
"But hopefully I can keep playing like I have been and I can get another result against Phil on Thursday."
The Welshman won the Lakeside Championship in 2008 before joining the PDC, and has reached two World Championship semi-finals since in his bid to add further major honours.
However, he believes that no player can match the domination which Taylor has enjoyed on the darts circuit since claiming his first title in 1990.
"Nobody will ever get near his record," added Webster. "Someone might win about ten majors on TV but he's won something like 70 of them, so he's the benchmark and we'd all like to be as successful as him.
"I've probably got 25 years on him yet but it would be a big ask to get anywhere near him!"
Taylor suffered his heaviest ever Premier League defeat when he went down 8-2 to World Champion Adrian Lewis at The O2 last Thursday.
Webster, though, added: "I don't read too much into that because you don't lose your quality overnight.
"People say class is permanent and form is temporary, and I think Phil will be fine - just hopefully not on Thursday!"
Whilst Taylor endured a nightmare at The O2, Webster's debut could hardly have gone better as he saw off 2009 champion Wade 8-3, taking the last five legs without reply.
"It's every player's ambition to be involved in the Premier League and I felt really good," he said.
"I thought I'd win if I am being honest, because James hasn't been in great form, but the main objective was to get a point on the board, so to get both points was great for me.
"Hitting a 180 in the first three darts settled me down and I was quite pleased to get to the break level at three-all because James was starting to hit form, and it deserted him a little in the second half.
"The crowd were good to me too and I enjoyed the atmosphere. I'm expecting more from the crowd this week, especially because I'm playing Phil, and I'm looking forward to it."
A number of tickets remain on sale for Thursday's 888.com Premier League Darts, priced at £20 plus booking fee and available via 08444 124 624 or www.capitalfmarena.com.