RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD admits that he needs to work on his finishing, after being knocked out of the Bavaria World Darts Trophy against Michael van Gerwen.
The four-time World Champion lost 3-2 to the 17-year-old in Utrecht on Monday, ending his hopes of a third World Darts Trophy title.
The Dutch wonderkid continually punished van Barneveld with some deadly finishing, especially on double top, to move into the last 16.
"When the draw was made I knew it would be one heck of a match," said van Barneveld.
"He is so fluent, his tempo and the way he plays is awesome and you know you have to finish every leg in 12 or 15 darts.
"He is a handful, 17-years-old and he played superb. Every time I missed one or two darts he went out.
"In the first leg of the last set, I did nothing wrong and was waiting on 81, I missed the bullseye and he went out on 86.
"Normally you get another chance but he never ever let me in."
Van Barneveld went into the event with no competitive action since mid-July, and conceded that he was disappointed with his display.
"I didn't have the hunger in my eyes like Mike did," he said. "I wasn't looking forward to the match and I don't know why.
"He has practised every day and he wanted my scalp but for me it's something different.
"I went to Florida on holiday with my family but he has nothing to look after in terms of a family or kids so he can focus on practising every single day.
"It's something I have to work on - I have to find the hunger again.
"It wasn't there against Michael, I don't know where it comes from but I will talk to my coach and focus on the next tournaments like the SkyBet World Grand Prix."
Van Gerwen's displays in both May's International Darts League and on the professional circuit - he won the Open Holland in April - have earned him a reputation as one of the best talents ever to emerge from Holland.
"He is 17 years old and to produce these kind of performances on stage and live on television is unbelievable," added van Barneveld.
"He could become a World Champion if he keeps playing like this, but it can turn in one day. We've all been there and it can change suddenly very quickly.
"Simon Whitlock, who he plays on Tuesday, is a world-class player and if he plays good I don't see why he can't beat Michael.
"He is not a God, but you can't leave the door open for him, you have to hit every single double.
"In May I beat him 6-2 because I didn't miss doubles and that put pressure on him, but this time I had the pressure and started missing."
Van Barneveld will travel to Newport later this month to enter the PDPA Qualifiers for the SkyBet World Grand Prix, an event which is double-start as well as finish.
"I will definitely be practising my doubles!" he said.
"The pressure is on me because if I miss another big tournament I will start to slip down the Order of Merit, so I have to qualify.
"I missed the World Matchplay and it can't happen twice in a row, so I will have to prepare myself.
"I will maybe have a game of golf and watch the rest of this tournament but practice hard on my doubles."
Whitlock will meet van Gerwen in one of four second round matches to be played on Tuesday night.
Phil Taylor will meet John Walton, while Colin Lloyd faces in-form Scotsman Gary Anderson, with Mike Veitch and Tony Eccles also coming head-to-head.