Joe Cullen believes a refreshed approach to the sport can help revive his fortunes ahead of his second round clash against Daryl Gurney at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix tonight.
Cullen will play 2017 champion Gurney for a place in the quarter-finals at the Mattioli Arena, having kicked off his campaign with victory over Chris Dobey on Tuesday.
The Yorkshireman recovered from a set down to deny an in-form Dobey, winning six of the last seven legs to cap off an impressive all-round performance.
However, Cullen - a semi-finalist in last year’s double-start showpiece - was in danger of missing out on qualification altogether this time around, following a disappointing run of results on the ProTour.
The 35-year-old has not progressed beyond the last 16 in any of his last 13 ranking events, and he admits his inauspicious form has prompted a change in approach.
“This year has probably been my worst year for at least five years – probably more if I was looking at the statistics,” Cullen conceded.
“Every player will drop in form at certain points, but I think this is the first time where my game has dropped for a sustained period.
“I have had to look at myself in the mirror and say: ‘Something needs to change now’.
“Almost missing out on this event – I think it was the kick up the backside that I needed, because elements of complacency have crept in and I’ve had issues away from the board.
“You can look for excuses all you want – at the end of the day the responsibility lies with me and solely me.
“I have put things in place to try and improve my game and I think I’m taking the right steps forward.”
Cullen is one of the most naturally talented stars in world darts, and he made his big breakthrough in 2022, following up his Masters triumph with a run to the Premier League final months later.
He also boasts seven Players Championship titles and a hat-trick of European Tour successes on his résumé, but now he’s determined to fulfil his potential by lifting the sport’s biggest honours.
“Things haven’t been easy over the last few years, but I’m not the only one that is struggling away from darts,” added the world number 19.
“I need to dedicate myself a bit more to the game and I think I’ve probably neglected the game a little bit.
“I don’t want to be one of those players that people are talking about in 20 year’s time saying: ‘They should have been World Champion, they should have done this, they should have done that.’
“It is alright saying: ‘You should have been this or that, but you’re not,’ so I want to put everything into making that happen, because I believe I can be that player.”
Cullen believes mentality is the key to taking his game to the next level, and he cites Luke Humphries and Michael Smith – the current top two on the PDC Order of Merit – as sources of inspiration.
“Everyone has the ability and the talent, but with myself and a few other players, I think’s it literally your mind that holds you back,” revealed the 2022 Premier League runner-up.
“That is what separates the elite from the good, and I think I’m in the next category down from elite.
“You look at Luke [Humphries], you look at Michael Smith two years ago. I don’t think he would have won the World Championship if he hadn’t won the Grand Slam.
“Once you get your mind right, you give yourself a far better chance than just relying on talent.”
Thursday’s second round action will also see former champions Gerwyn Price and James Wade go head-to-head for a place in the last eight, as 2016 runner-up Gary Anderson plays Mike De Decker.
Two-time finalist Dave Chisnall will round off the evening’s action against Dimitri Van den Bergh, with Cullen or Gurney awaiting the winner in Friday’s quarter-finals.
The BoyleSports World Grand Prix is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2024 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Thursday October 10 (1900 BST)
4x Second Round matches
Gary Anderson v Mike De Decker
Gerwyn Price v James Wade
Daryl Gurney v Joe Cullen
Dave Chisnall v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Second Round - Best of Five Sets