PHIL TAYLOR believes that Adrian Lewis is still on a learning curve, as the pair prepare to clash in the Holsten Premier League Darts.
Lewis will face his former mentor and practice partner in Aberdeen on Thursday night, looking to arrest a run of two defeats which has seen him slip out of the league's top four.
He went down 8-1 to Dennis Priestley in Newcastle a fortnight ago and was then edged out by Roland Scholten in Sheffield in front of over 5,200 fans last week.
The 22-year-old is bidding for a first televised win over Taylor when they meet at Aberdeen's Press & Journal Arena, with the defending Premier League champion expecting a testing contest.
"It's a match I think everyone is looking forward to," said Taylor, writing in his weekly Racing Post column.
"Adrian has been telling his mates that he's going to beat me 8-0 - I don't think he means it, but he is a very confident character.
"We no longer practise together but there's no ill-feeling. We've just gone our separate ways.
"One thing that is for certain is that he's struggling with the expectation and the noisy crowds in Premier League and he's going to have to learn to deal with that quickly."
Taylor came back from 5-1 down to win 8-6 against Raymond van Barneveld a week ago, and also picked up the winner's cheque in the Blue Square UK Open Southern Regional Final on Sunday.
"I am almost back to my best," said Taylor. "But being back to my best isn't what it's about.
"I want to get better still and now I'm convinced I can. I'm playing well and enjoying it. My fitness and practice routine are paying off and I've got the fire back."
Listen to Live Commentary from the Holsten Premier League Darts on Thursday from 7.30pm GMT in DartsTV.