Phil Taylor targets victory over Michael van Gerwen in Premier League darts
Thursday 17 March 2016 15:40, UK
Phil Taylor says he is one of just a couple of players capable of beating Michael van Gerwen ahead of their Premier League showdown on Thursday, live on Sky Sports.
Glasgow is the venue for what promises to be a tungsten tussle of the highest order with Van Gerwen top of the table and Taylor hot on his heels in second.
Both men have averaged in excess of 100 for each of the past five Premier League nights and MVG's 123.4 average the last time the tournament was in Scotland in week four set a new world record TV average.
While Van Gerwen has hoovered up titles so far this season, Taylor's form has slipped under the radar but the 16-time world champion is looking back to his best with a change of equipment and a renewed love of the game the main reasons.
"I am enjoying it now," Taylor told Sky Sports ahead of the showdown.
"I have got my new equipment and it is going in really well. I've been practising hard and it will be another good test.
"There are only a few people who can stop Michael and I am one of them. I'm really looking forward to it.
"My attitude towards the game has changed altogether. I am enjoying it more now than ever, I'm putting a bit more effort into it and everything seems to have just clicked."
Taylor admits 2015 was a difficult year for him but says he is refreshed and ready to go once again and his early form this year underlines that
"I've been playing so long that you do get patches where you get a little bit sick of it. Your appetite goes a little bit and anyone will tell you that in sport," added 'The Power'.
"Sometimes it can be too much for you and it just got on top of me a little bit. Now 12 months later I have got my appetite back.
"I am excited about the game but it is a very busy schedule. You are virtually on the road day after day after day. Four or five days a week you are playing in competitions and it is hard for me at my age.
"But I will be giving it a good go and carry on the way I am doing as it is coming together."
You can watch Phil Taylor against Michael van Gerwen in Thursday's latest round of Premier League Darts from Glasgow on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm.
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