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James Wade confident he can push for Premier League crown

James Wade of England celebrates during his match against John Michael during the 2016 William Hill PDC World Darts Championship
Image: James Wade is looking to bounce back after World Championship disappointment

James Wade is out to make amends for a disappointing World Championship performance when he gets his Premier League campaign underway.

Wade crashed out in the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace - losing 5-1 to an inspired Gary Anderson - but 'The Machine' knows he was far from his best during a lacklustre showing over the festive period.

"I'm still very angry with myself, and very disappointed with my performance [at the Worlds]," he told Sky Sports.

"I put a lot of practice in which I never normally do. I maybe went to the other extreme and practiced too much.

"I knew I wasn't playing well but hoped I'd pull through, but never did. It's not for me to practise too much."

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Wade is a two-time Premier League finalist, winning the title in 2009 when he beat Mervyn King to the crown, and he is hoping a more relaxed approach can take him far in this year's event, which gets underway in Leeds on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports 1.

"I just have to play darts and try to enjoy it, I've tried to stop thinking about the game and be more laid back," he added ahead of his opener against Michael van Gerwen.

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"I don't look at any game differently in the Premier League. He's the world No 1 so it's good to play him in that respect, but in the Premier League you've got so many games. You need to make sure you've got enough under your belt to get yourself through.

"People have had chances to beat Michael but haven't taken their opportunities, which has grown his confidence even more. People aren't beating Michael when they have their chance."

Wade returned last year and the surprise omission in 2014 insists his experience of winning majors - he has eight of them already - will make him a contender for this season's crown.

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"It's a long time ago that I won the Premier League. Time scale on darts is relevant - some things feel like yesterday, some feel like a million years ago. It's a hard tournament to win," he said.

"I think I'm better placed to win it again than players who haven't won a major tournament. Some of them still haven't learned how to cross the finishing line. That's about being in the right place at the right time in the early days of your career and winning a tournament rather than keep losing."

You can watch the opening night live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm on Thursday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.

We will be building up to the coverage this week on our live blog here www.skysports.com/darts and the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action.

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