Chris Dobey hopes he can put World Matchplay disappointment behind him by becoming the second Challenger to win a Unibet Premier League match.
Tonight will see Dobey become the first Challenger in action against Daryl Gurney as the tournament restarts following a near-six month break.
The popular Geordie was due to play in front of a partisan home crowd in Newcastle before lockdown, but Dobey explained he's still happy to have the opportunity to play on the Premier League stage.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into it. I just want to get back on stage and get the job done," said Dobey, a two-time TV semi-finalist in 2019.
“It’s been hard watching tournaments and not being in them. In the Summer Series I played some great stuff. I lost on each day but played well, I had nothing to grumble about. I was just gutted not qualifying for the World Matchplay.
“Off the back of last year I had played really well. I always tend to have a decent end of year. I just need to have a full solid year so I get myself up the rankings.
“At the start of this year I was playing some decent stuff especially in the UK Open. I lost out to Jonny Clayton and he hit a nine-darter against me.
“I then had a dip in form like everyone does and then we went into lockdown and then the Summer Series. So I wasn’t seeded and missing out on the Matchplay was a hard one to take. That hit me pretty hard.
“Daryl’s a great player, he’s just had a lot of bad luck so far this year. He was playing well but just not getting the results when he needed them. But I’m just there to try and do my job."
The 30-year-old lit up the opening night of the 2019 Premier League in Newcastle as the competition's first ever Contender/Challenger, earning a 6-6 draw from an entertaining clash with Mensur Suljovic.
Known as one of the friendliest players on the professional circuit, Dobey insists his kind nature won't hold him back from fulfilling his ambitions in the sport.
“A few people have told me 'I'm too nice' but I'll never change who I am. I would say I’m a nice guy all round, I get on with absolutely everybody," Dobey explained.
“But if there was someone saying a bad thing I wouldn’t be scared to tell them. I still don’t think I’m too nice.
“On the stage I’ll only give it when I need to. It kind of works already on stage so hopefully I don’t need to change too much.
“I felt I have been ready for the next level ever since the game against Gary Anderson at the Worlds two years ago.
“I was so gutted about losing that game. I felt I’d done everything. I missed a big number at the end to give myself a shot at the double. I felt I was ready for the next step then.
“I feel it’s not far away. I’m going to put a lot of work in over the next few weeks to prepare myself for the back end of the year."
Night Seven of the Unibet Premier League will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers and through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and RTL7.
2020 Unibet Premier League
Night Seven
Tuesday August 25 (1830 BST)
Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes - behind closed doors
Michael Smith v Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen v Rob Cross
Nathan Aspinall v Gerwyn Price
Chris Dobey v Daryl Gurney
Peter Wright v Glen Durrant
