Martin Gould hopes – and expects – to feel like a player transformed when he returns to York to get his UK Championship challenge under way on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old is in good form, relaxed and relishing the prospect of facing Lee Page in the first round.
But last year the Pinner Potter was struggling with his confidence and had to stumble from his sickbed to even take part in his 6-3 first-round exit at the hands of Chris Norbury.
Gould, who reached the final of the Bulgarian Open last month, told West London Sport: “I feel in a good place.
“But I am taking nothing for granted. I had a viral infection at the tournament last season and lost to Chris Norbury and I could barely stand up – so not feeling ill will be a start.
“When I saw the doctor, he was surprised I played. I just made it worse.”
Gould, the world number 27, has had an impressive season so far, reaching his first ranking event semi-final at the Wuxi Classic in China and only missing out on title success in Sofia with defeat against the in-form Shaun Murphy.
He puts his good run down to more focused preparation and his maturity as player.
“I know my game a lot better these days and I am getting in the right amount of practice. You can tinker too much so I make sure I relax when I need to,” Gould said.
“Practising is easier for me than it used to be. I am playing at Rileys in Watford, which is much closer to home and it makes things easier. The staff are good to me there.
“It all helps me relax and when I am relaxed and on a roll, I can win frame after frame and you have to make the most of it. I played really well in Bulgaria.
“You have to feel positive and I do. If you have negative thoughts you will get found out. Last season I was losing lots of close matches and it does affect you.”
Gould rediscovered some of his best form to make snooker’s showpiece event, winning through some tough qualifying rounds to reach the World Championship and salvage what he has described as a poor season.
He said: “I got blown away 4-0 by Graeme Dott [at a PTC event in November] but apart from that there were lots of narrow defeats and that does take it out of you.”
For now, world number 102 Lee Page is in Gould’s sights.
“I played him many moons ago and I think he beat me, but our careers have gone in different paths since,” Gould said.
“I have been playing well and am looking forward to it.”
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This post was last modified on 26/11/2014