PETER MANLEY says there will be 'no more Mr Nice Guy' when he steps out at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The three-time runner-up will begin his challenge at Alexandra Palace next Tuesday against young Dutch star Toon Greebe.
Manley, though, is under more pressure going into the tournament than many other players, as he 'defends' the £50,000 runner-up prize money he picked up two years ago.
An early exit in the tournament could see him drop out of the top ten, after entering the World Championship as the number five seed.
"Obviously I am concerned, but I can't afford to let the situation worry me," Manley told the Unicorn website.
"I am reasonably happy with my form but I just have to get my head right for the big events.
"A friend of mine from Surrey called me up the other day and told me in no uncertain terms to go back to the 'old' Peter Manley and just get the job done.
"He was right, because I was more feared by opponents when I adopted the old aggressive persona."
Manley, the 2003 Las Vegas Desert Classic champion, has been practising with top 16 rival and close friend Ronnie Baxter in a specially adapted log cabin in the garden of his Carlisle home.
Manley followed the example of Wes Newton in having a special practice room installed in his back garden, and said: "It will help both of us to get motivated.
"It makes a lot of difference when you are playing against somebody, so hopefully it will get me and Ronnie in tune for the tournament."
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