CHRIS DOBEY admits he ‘thrives’ off the adrenaline rush of playing at the Ally Pally.

The Bedlington star has been part of several epic encounters on the famous World Championship stage.

But he wants to make an even bigger impact this year when he faces either Martijn Kleermaker or Xicheng Ha on December 23.

He said: “I’m playing a lot better than I was this time last year. That’s a positive.

“I’ve been practising well and my averages are showing well. I had a spell when my averages weren’t that great but I’ve been winning games. I’m feeling pretty happy with my game.

“I had to wait for a week the same last year. You are watching everyone else play. It is a hard one to take, it’s got to be somebody and I don’t mind it being me.

“I’ll still go down early and get a few days practice in and take in the atmosphere.

“I believe in my own ability. Obviously Martijn is a great player, he took out Nathan Aspinall a couple of weeks ago in Minehead.

“So he’ll be up for it just as much as I am. I’ll just produce what I can. Hopefully on the night it goes my way.”

Dobey has had some Ally Pally classics and now knows he can deliver when it comes to the crunch.

He added: “I just thrive off everything at the Ally Pally, it’s pure adrenaline. I’ve played in some of the biggest games there.

“I played Phil Taylor in his last ever Worlds, I’ve also had good battles with Glen Durrant and Gary Anderson.

“The Fallon Sherrock match was huge. Everyone was against me. I needed that just to test me to see where my game was at and see if I could handle the pressure of the crowd.

“I think I produced one of my best ever games on the stage then at the time.”

By Phil Lanning