"I still stand a chance of reaching the final. A few weeks ago I didn't have that feeling" - Van Veen sensing upturn in form as Premier League Darts finals night looms closer

Gian van Veen has not been hitting the heights of a few months ago where he debuted in the PDC World Darts Championship final. Surgery in this time has not helped matters as the world number three fights for a spot in the top four of the Premier League Darts as finals night draws nearer.

It is fair to say the Dutchman has been displeased with his efforts on the oche in recent times. He has also been dragged into feeling the pressure as he looks to turn his results around. "I think I was in a rough patch for a while," he said. “In response, you try even harder, but that can also backfire, and I have certainly experienced that recently.”

He believes that he belongs at this level, but more consistent success will cement his status as one of the best. "I showed back then that I belong at that level, and I want to continue doing so. But I also have to be honest: this year I am only succeeding in doing so sporadically."

Van Veen knew the pressure that would come after winning his first major title at the European Championship along with that run at Ally Pally. "Of course, I feel more pressure than last year," he admitted. "Back then, I was twentieth in the world; everything I did was a bonus. Now, as number three in the world, I have to perform. That is a big difference."

Now he is one of the best, other players notice that and know if they are going to beat 'The Giant', they need to find their A-game. Van Veen has been on the brunt of this but also claims that the busier schedule with the Premier League events are making it trickier. "You really notice that everyone puts in an extra effort against you, yes. Also with the busy schedule in the Premier League, you can't always be at your best. I found that difficult at first, but I have learned to understand it."

While van Veen continues to find his feet in his debut campaign in the Premier League, he is experimenting with some new equipment as he looks to get the edge on the competition. "I've been throwing with different darts for a week or two now, and it feels good," he commented.

“I had wanted to do this for a while, but especially last year everything just kept going well. At the time, it didn't seem like a good idea to try something else, but I do believe you should always look at what you can improve. Every percentage point counts at this level. A few weeks ago, I had run out of confidence, and I saw that as the perfect moment to switch.”

Van Veen's Premier League has been a mixed bag. Impacted by kidney stones which halted the chance to gain more points, he is yet to win a night despite reaching the weekly final on four different occasions, three of them coming in the first four events.

This keeps him in firm contention to be one of the players to qualify for week 17 at the O2. In fifth whilst just two points behind seven-time champion Michael van Gerwen, he is in a solid position to pounce. "That is at least one positive thing from this year, although I would have liked to be closer," he stated.

"I think I can look back on the Premier League so far as okay. And I definitely think I still stand a chance of reaching the final. A few weeks ago I didn't have that feeling, but that has changed because confidence is returning more and more, and with it, the level of play. It is also about time I had a win; that would be really nice in terms of points as well."

Maybe a little unfortunately, his first year in the Premier League may be overshadowed by an incident he had with the world number one Luke Littler in Manchester. He unveiled that they have said a few words since the contentious incident, but van Veen is not willing to digress further into it.

"I don't feel I need to approach him, because I am of the opinion that I haven't done anything wrong," he said. "I have barely spoken to him in the last few weeks. But we weren't doing that before that either. Last week we briefly asked each other how things were going, and that was it. I think Luke is a fine guy, but we will never become best friends, and that is perfectly fine."

If van Veen and Littler are going to clash, they will have to win their opening two matches with them on opposite sides of the draw in Night 14 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Van Veen will take on Stephen Bunting with the heat on to gain points in this pivotal part of the competition.