Chris Dobey is confident that he will enjoy a return to winning ways ahead of his clash against Nathan Aspinall on Night Six of the Cazoo Premier League in Liverpool on Thursday.
Dobey is bidding to end a run of four consecutive quarter-final defeats in the sport’s biggest roadshow, having made a dream start to his debut campaign with Night One glory in Belfast.
The Masters champion defeated Peter Wright, Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen to triumph in Belfast, converting 170 and 160 checkouts to stun the Dutchman 6-5 in a thrilling final.
However, he’s failed to add to his points tally over the last month, succumbing to Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Van Gerwen and Dimitri Van den Bergh respectively.
“I’m happy with where my game is at. I’m not going to kick myself when I’m down,” Dobey told OnlineDarts.
“You can’t dwell on it, otherwise it’s only going to go one way and that’s downhill.
“I feel my game is good enough, I’m just not getting the results.
“I believe in my own ability and I feel that I’ve got the power to get myself back into the top positions.”
Dobey has slipped to seventh ahead of Thursday’s action at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, despite boasting the fourth highest tournament average after five nights.
The 32-year-old averaged 104 in his Night Five defeat to Van den Bergh, and he also posted a ton-plus average in his 6-1 reverse against Clayton on Night Three in Glasgow.
“I thought I played well against Dimitri. I missed a couple of doubles here and there, but his finishing was superb,” conceded Dobey, the solitary debutant in this year's eight-player field.
“Dimi outclassed me, but there’s nothing wrong with my performances. I am playing well enough.
“It is only a matter of time until these losses turn into wins, and I believe that I can turn this around.
“I’m hoping to bounce back and get a couple of wins under my belt, and hopefully I can start in Liverpool."
Dobey made his Premier League debut as a contender in 2019, and he received an incredible ovation on home soil at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, where he shared the spoils against Mensur Suljovic.
He also featured as a challenger in the 2020 edition – held behind-closed-doors in Milton Keynes – before receiving a full-time invitation to the 2023 roadshow following his Masters success.
Dobey is relishing his return to Newcastle on Night Eight, and despite his winless run, he remains confident of sealing a top four spot and a place in May’s Play-Offs at The O2 in London.
“I am loving the Premier League. It is a great experience,” revealed the Bedlington thrower.
“It’s a whole new experience for me playing in these massive venues, but I’m loving every minute.
“My goal was to win a night. You always want to win a night. It took Michael Smith until the final week last year, so when I won the opening night, I wanted to push myself to reach the top four.
“That is still my goal right now. I believe I can do it. I’m playing well without getting the results, but I believe that will change.”
The 2023 Cazoo Premier League will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN, Viaplay and VTM, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers.
2023 Cazoo Premier League
Night Six - Thursday March 9
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price v Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen v Jonny Clayton
Chris Dobey v Nathan Aspinall
Michael Smith v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Semi-Finals
Price/Wright v Van Gerwen/Clayton
Dobey/Aspinall v Smith/Van den Bergh
Final
v
All matches best of 11 legs