Phil Taylor claims that he will deserve a "kick up the backside" if he fails to win the 2009 PDC World Championship.

Taylor has won the title 13 times, although his last success came in 2006. Last year he lost in the last eight against Wayne Mardle, while two years ago he was beaten in a sudden-death leg of the final by Raymond van Barneveld.

However Taylor arrives at the Alexandra Palace in sensational form having won 19 out of 26 tournaments this year, as well as a fourth successive Premier League Darts title.

And Taylor, who faces qualifier Steve Grubb on Saturday evening in his opening game, said: "I feel great and I think I'm playing better than I've ever done.

"I'm more relaxed and really looking forward to it.

"In my mind, you're only as good as your next tournament. It doesn't matter what my record this year is - I lost the last tournament in Germany.

"I don't like losing but it has made me feel a bit hungrier for the World Championship.

"I'm very confident and if I don't win the World Championship this year I want a kick up the backside, because I've been in great form this year and want this so much."