Phil Taylor reflected on his most remarkable Premier League title on Sky Sports News by warning 'I can get even better.'
Watch the UK Open darts from Bolton, live on Sky Sports from Thursaday June 6.
Phil Taylor reflected on his fourth but most remarkable Premier League success on
Sky Sports News by warning 'I can get even better.'
'The Power' looked to have been switched off at the start of the 2008 Premier League as he lost three of his first four matches after making several changes to his game - most notably his new bigger darts.
After making changes after failing to add to his 13 world titles at Christmas, Taylor new it would take time to settle but many thought he had made a big mistake as his unbeaten record in the Premier League went in his opening fixture.
However, an 8-0 whitewash over Wayne Mardle in week five signalled Taylor's return to his very best and he grew stronger and stronger as his changes finally paid off.
A record Premier League three-dart average of 112.68 saw Taylor beat Adrian Lewis 11-1 in the semi-finals in Cardiff before James Wade fell 16-8 in the final.
A fourth Premier League crown maintained Taylor's dominance of the event but, even more importantly, showed that even as a veteran he could still get even better.
"I had a good win last week in America, then I won the Premier League and along comes Bolton next so I'm looking forward to next week," Taylor told
Sky Sports News.
"After January, after losing at the world championships I thought I've got to change and now was the time to change.
"I was plateauing and was not improving and I hate it when that happens.
"All the commentators and all the fellow pros thought I'd gone, talking about the silly old man, but now I'm back.
"It's all come together now."
Satisfaction
The sense of satisfaction from proving everyone wrong is clear to see in Taylor, but now he has proved he is back he is vowing to get even better.
The Stoke legend wants to improve on his bullying scoring power that always heaps pressure onto his opponents.
A 14th world title is well and truly in Taylor's sights and despite the growing number of events on the darts schedule he is keen to achieve his latest goal.
"The way I'm going, I'm going to get better, I do believe I can get better - I think I can push my average up to 115/116," he added.
"And I've got six months of practice to get there now.
"The schedule of ours is so busy, it's getting like the golf now with all the tournaments.
"I played in America last week, came back on Thursday, played the Premier League on Monday and then we're off to Botlon and then we'll be off to somewhere else.
"There are big tournaments in Ireland and in Vegas too.
"We're that busy it's tricky getting practice in for every match, but I do enjoy it.
"Now I'm getting older though I'm enjoying every match a lot more than ever.
"As you get older you think you better start enjoying it and I do - I enjoy the winning and I enjoy the competition.
"It's nice to prove to yourself that you can still do it."
New breed
Raymond van Barneveld powered into the PDC a couple of years ago before taking Taylor's world crown and offering a real challenge, but the Dutchman has not been able to live up to his high-octane start on the circuit.
Taylor picks out his Premier League final opponent and two-time major tournament winner Wade as a likely successor to his crown, although his fellow Stoke man Lewis also could be the next top man.
Taylor says he will start to practice with 'Jackpot' Lewis again and believes that he has the game to be the next dominant force on the oche.
"I think Barney's at his best, I think James Wade - he's watching and listening and he can improve and I think young Aidy can improve," Taylor said of possible challengers to his thrown at the top of darts.
"He just lacks a little bit of experience yet, but it's coming.
"I'm going to start practising with Adrian again and we'll teach him a few things we'll get his head right it's like any sport if up here's right (mentality) then you can do it one stage and that's what it's all about.
"We just need to get Adrian right and he can be the next champion."
