Rob Cross: Things were a little alien for me, but I’m ready for big wins now

I have to admit from when I started this year – from February on shall we say – it has been alien for me and a little bit different.

Nine months on from winning the World Championship I feel a lot better and fresher. There’s no reason now that I can’t go out, play well every week and get big results.

It’s most certainly time for me to do that, everything you go into you want to win it.

I played mid-week and it was very good for me. Sometimes you can get a little bit nervous when you go back up on stage after having a few weeks off and I didn’t really want that heading into the Champions League of Darts.

It went well for me in mid-week, I played alright and I want to carry that on this weekend. I’m really looking forward to it.

It’s important to know that you are playing well and to be on form when you turn up.

If you’re not confident, then you’re probably not going to achieve what you want to achieve.

I’ve even had a normal practice routine for this one too and that’s why I can’t wait to get going.

Cracking group

There’s some cracking dart players in my group in the likes of Peter Wright, Mensur Suljovic and Rob Cross. If I miss, I will get punished.

The round-robin format is nice and it’s a lot of games. It’s just a case for me of coming out and being myself – I know I can finish well too. I want to put a good show on, I expect that of myself.

Don’t get me wrong, if I were to lose my first game I’d have to get on with it.

However, there’s no plans there to lose any match. I’m going in to win all three games.

There won’t be any tactics, you just get on with it really. If you are playing well every single game, then you’ll get maximum confidence going into the rest of it.

Sticky Suljovic

It want to play well against my first opponent Mensur Suljovic anyway.

I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing him because he’s the defending champion. I’ve got a lot of people I know coming down to support me too, and they’re going to be watching.

So, I certainly want to be putting a good show on.

Mensur’s a great player and if I miss, he’ll take advantage of that.

I know I have to play in my rhythm and if I play my game up there on stage, I believe I’ll win.