WAYNE MARDLE is suffering a case of 'deja-vu' as he searches for his first win of the 2006 Holsten Premier League Darts in Wolverhampton on Thursday.
The Essex star went into the fourth week of the 2005 Premier League without a win before overcoming Roland Scholten 8-4 in Norwich.
That night he also faced Phil Taylor - losing 11-1 - and ironically meets the pair again at the Wolverhampton Civic.
"Whatever happens against Phil, I need to win against Roland," added Mardle.
"It's a must-win for me and deja-vu from last year really, losing the first three and then starting the fightback.
"I lost 11-1 to Phil in Norwich last year, but Phil had one of his great days. Hopefully it won't be like that on Thursday."
Mardle lost 8-6 to Taylor in the opening game of the 2006 Premier League last month.
He also lost out to The Power in last year's Las Vegas Desert Classic final as well as in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship semi-finals.
"I'd rather not be playing Phil, because my record against him isn't brilliant, but I've just got to get up there and do the business," he said.
"Hopefully I can beat him and get off the mark. I'm not one of those players who expect to lose against Phil - which a lot of players do.
"I want to go there and if I play as I can, then I've got a good chance of winning."
Mardle won his first ranking tournament for 18 months when he overcame Barrie Bates to win the JR & Vauxhall Norfolk Open last Sunday.
"My confidence is high," he admitted. "That was my first win since September 2004 and it's pleasing.
"I've been beaten in a couple of finals in those 18 months, as well as a few semis.
"I'd never actually looked like winning one to be honest, so I'm very happy with how I finished both the semi-final and final with big checkouts - I wasn't panicking about winning.
"I didn't know how I would react because it's been so long, but it was good, I reacted well."
2006 Holsten Premier League Darts
Night Four, Wolverhampton Civic
Phil Taylor v Wayne Mardle
Peter Manley v Colin Lloyd
Roland Scholten v Wayne Mardle
Ronnie Baxter v Peter Manley
Live on Sky Sports One, 7.30pm
Live Audio Commentary will be available for DartsTV subscribers, and there will also be a Free Scorecentre.
Highlights from Wolverhampton will be available to DartsTV subscribers on Friday.