Game on for 2008

Greetings to all Barney fans! As my first post of the new year I want to start by hoping 2008 has started well for you all.

OK, straight away I’m going to talk about the World Championships. Of course, I am very disappointed about how it went for me. Kevin Painter played brilliantly but my performance was far below what I can play. Also, I was struggling with the flu and that didn't help, that's for sure. I felt very weak on stage and that's very hard when you play a guy like Kevin. It's so disappointing when you work so hard in practice and preparation to defend the title.

2007? It was double top

The last couple of months of 2007 could have been better for me, but overall I am satisfied about the achievements. The best matches I played were probably the final in the 2007 World Championships against Phil Taylor and the final in the Masters of Darts against Peter Manley. Also, I am very proud to be No.1 in the rankings within just two years of joining the PDC.

After the World Championships I did some promotional stuff with Phil for the PDC World Championships Darts 2008 videogame and last week we had the annual PDC dinner. I was very proud to win the award for Best Floor Player of the Year. I'd like to congratulate James Wade for winning the Player of the Year title thanks to his winning of the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix. That Mervyn King received the Best Newcomer was not a surprise. I’ve known him now for many years and he is very good player who will be in the Top 10 soon. It is amazing how some players are developing themselves in such a short time. A great example is Kevin McDine who I think will have a great 2008.

I will use this month to recover and I’m taking some weeks off with a holiday in Dubai. I need some time to relax, to spend some time with the family, watch some movies and play some poker.

Best foot forward

At the end of January I will prepare myself for the Premier League 2008 which starts in Glasgow. What a field of talented players we have this year and I think you will have to play very well to reach the playoffs. Besides the World Championship it is, for me, a very big challenge to win the Premier League. Every major tournament is important, though and if you look at the PDC Calendar it is enormous. Sometimes you have to make a choice of which tournaments you play, like players in other sports. Hope to see you in a tournament, because I can use all the support.

Barney's bets

One of tennis's top events is underway right now - the Australian Open. It's really hard to see anyone apart from Federer retaining his crown, he really does dominate the sport. The only hope for his opponenets is that the Swiss master has had little preparation for the tournament because of illness. Davydenko and Nadal are worth watching, as is Ferrer. Hewitt's on home ground so he could be worth an outside look.

If you fancy a bet, go to PartyBets.com now. All the best.