RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD feels he is in a good position ahead of Thursday's Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts clash with Phil Taylor.
The Dutchman has overcome a tricky start in the tournament to move up to fourth in the table after going through his last four games unbeaten.
Having lost to Taylor on the opening night in Liverpool last month, the world number three is chasing a revenge win when they clash at the NIA in Birmingham.
"In the first three weeks of the competition I played the others from the top four and it was hard work," said van Barneveld.
"Then I beat Terry Jenkins, had a draw against Wayne Mardle and beat Mervyn King, which was an important game, before I beat Jelle Klaasen to make it two 8-3 wins on the trot.
"I've had three wins in four games now and I'm working hard in the gym and in practice, and it's going well."
Van Barneveld is deliberately playing less on the PDC Pro Tour in his bid to reach a first Premier League Darts final, having lost in the semis in each of the last three seasons.
And he believes that the Premier League's schedule is having an effect on the displays of his fellow Dutchman Klaasen, who he defeated in Brighton last week.
"I looked at Jelle during the game and he didn't look pleased with how he was playing," said van Barneveld, who won the game 8-3.
"That isn't him, he can play much better, but maybe the travelling for the Premier Leagues and PDC Pro Tour events is taking its toll.
"I can't focus on the Premier League and the Pro Tour. I'm doing lots of things in the gym during the week, practising and then coming to play in the Premier League.
"The Pro Tour qualifies you for the big tournaments so I have to do it, and I am doing less of those but enough to qualify."
Van Barneveld slipped to third in the PDC Order of Merit behind James Wade in January, but ended last year by reaching the final of the Sky Poker World Grand Prix and Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
"2008 was a disaster year for me and I'm pleased to have made it to the World Championship final and stayed in the top four," he added.
"That's where I want to be, and focusing on the number one and number two spots isn't too important at the moment because there's a big gap.
"But prize money is increasing and it's good for us players and good for darts. At the end of the day you have to work harder every single year and every week because there are so many world class players."
Having changed the style of his darts a number of times since joining the PDC in 2006, but went back to his old darts late in 2008.
"When I played with the slim flights at the Circus Tavern and won the World Championship against Phil I was awesome," he said.
"Then I tried the ceramic darts and I was pressured a lot with them because they could have sold a lot of sets but there was a voice inside me saying to go back to my old darts.
"I think in the smaller venues the small flights are good, but in the bigger venues there can be a little bit of air movement and it can affect your throw."
Tickets are still available for the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at the NIA.
Click here to purchase online from The Ticket Factory or visit 0871 945 6000.
See highlights from the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts in PDCtv
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Eight - NIA, Birmingham
Wayne Mardle v Mervyn King
Terry Jenkins v Jelle Klaasen
John Part v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
Please Note 6.30pm start for this event
Live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 from 6.30pm
Listen to live audio commentary and see match highlights in PDCtv - click here for PDCtv
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme