“I know they need to get ratings, but going on at 10.30pm just isn’t for me” - Dave Chisnall is pleased to be playing an afternoon match at the Poland Darts Open

Dave Chisnall is once again hunting for success on the European Tour. The 45-year-old Englishman has arrived in Krakow for the Poland Darts Masters. After a frustrating year on the European circuit, ‘Chizzy’ is hoping to turn the tide in Poland.

Two seasons ago, Chisnall was crowned the best player on the European Tour, but last year he endured an unprecedented run of setbacks. He exited in the first round eight times in a row. It is a harsh statistic, he admits in his column for Kwiff. “I had the unfortunate record of going out, I think 8 first round games in a row last year, and whilst it looks like abysmal form (and believe me, I know it ain’t pretty reading) I didn’t half have some bad luck along the way. I played really well against Ryan Searle, who just so happened to play even better when knocking us out with a 104 average.”

He also ran into a fired-up Raymond van Barneveld. In Budapest, Chisnall was beaten 6-1 by the Dutchman. “That was good, but I ran into even better with Barney playing some of the best darts I’ve seen him chuck this side of the pandemic when beating us 6-1 in Budapest, and even worse when Luke Woodhouse beat us with an 111 average a couple of weeks later.”

As if that was not enough, he was later on the receiving end of a Luke Woodhouse masterclass, with Woodhouse producing a 111 average. It summed up his season: playing solidly, but repeatedly facing an opponent who found that extra gear.

Still, he makes an important distinction. “When you’re turning up and playing well and getting caned, it’s not as bad as throwing poorly and narrowly missing out – because mentally you feel you might have nicked. But nevertheless, you’ve got to keep showing up. What’s it that Roy Keane always says – it’s my job!”

At the Poland Darts Open, Chisnall begins against Darryl Pilgrim. On paper, it is an opponent he should be able to handle, but underestimating him would be unwise, especially given last year’s experiences. Notably, Chisnall is in action on Friday this time, rather than entering as a seeded player on Saturday. “I’ve got Darryl Pilgrim in the first round on Friday, and given my luck showing up and playing on a Saturday afternoon when ranked higher last year, it might actually work in my favour. I know I sound like a proper grumpy old man, but some of these late starts are no good to me. It happened in The Masters at Milton Keynes, when on second last behind the Littler game.”

He added: “I know that ITV need to get ratings and the like, and hoping people stick around to watch Luke The Nuke, but me going on at 10.30 pm just isn’t for me. I’m an old man now and like my sleep! Krakow has historically been nice to me and the fans are always great, so fingers crossed I can give them something to cheer about this weekend.”

The venue itself gives him confidence. Krakow has been kind to him in the past and the Polish fans are known for their enthusiasm.

His recent Pro Tour displays also provide encouragement. During the Players Championships in Wigan, Chisnall felt comfortable at the oche. Although he was knocked out on the first day after a 6-3 defeat in which he missed plenty of doubles, he remained positive. “The Pro Tour events were good in Wigan, and I feel I played well both days, despite going out in the first round in PC1. I missed a load of doubles to lose 6-3 and just have to write it off as one of those days.”

A day later, he believes he played even better, but lost to Daryl Gurney. “I played a lot better 24 hours later, and was a bit unlucky to lose to Darryl (Gurney), who played really well to be fair to him. He made some big scores when he needed, and took out doubles at the right time. That’s what you’ve got to do in this game!”

Despite the mixed results, Chisnall sounds determined. “The game is good, in a lot better place than 12 months ago, and my manager has actually got me a shirt that fits me this time around lol! Fingers crossed for a good few days in Poland!”