WEBSTER QUESTIONS HUMPHRIES BELIEF AFTER LITTLER DEFEAT

MARK WEBSTER has questioned whether Luke Humphries even believed he could win last week in the Premier League.

The world No.2 is still searching for his first nightly win after 12 weeks and has reached just one final in a frustrating campaign. 

“Cool Hand” was beaten 6-2 by Luke Littler in the quarter-finals in Liverpool, where he landed just two of his 11 attempts at double last week. 

The Cheshire thrower sits sixth in the table and five points adrift of the play-off places and Michael van Gerwen heading into the final weeks. 

Humphries now faces Van Gerwen on Night 13 in Aberdeen in what could be a defining clash in his season. 

Former world champ Webster admits he was surprised by what he saw from Humphries. 

He told PaddyPower: “Humphries is running out of time and I thought he would have clicked into gear by now. I actually questioned whether he thought he could win last week. It was a strange one. 

“He’s still got a bit of time but he needs some nightly wins as soon as possible. 

“Van Gerwen is starting to get that focus back. I can see him beating Humphries as the Dutchman wants to keep that top-four spot.” 

Webster also backed Gerwyn Price to turn things around despite losing his last three consecutive quarter-finals. 

The Iceman’s last victory came on Night Nine when he beat Gian van Veen 6-2 in the final, and he currently sits third in the table on 19 points. 

He added: “Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price face off in the second game on Thursday and this is a big game, especially for Price. 

“He’s still in the play-off spots but he’s been on 19 points for a few weeks now. He needs to add to that tally after a frustrating week last time. 

“He may slip out of the top four if he’s beaten by Stephen Bunting but I don’t see that happening. 

“This could be scrappy and it may go deep but when it’s crunch time Price usually turns up. Price to win this time game is my fancy.” 

The Welshman also tipped Littler to maintain his winning streak and become the first player to record five nightly triumphs. 

He continued: “I’m glad that Josh Rock has started to make an impact and he’ll go away from this campaign having learned a lot. 

“Normal service resumed for Luke Littler last week as he won night 12 in Liverpool and he doesn’t get stuck in a rut for long. I never worry when he’s having bad results. 

“He let the darts do the talking last week and I’m expecting similar this time round. There will be plenty of 180s in this game and I can see Littler coming through quite comfortably. 

“I backed Littler to win the week last Thursday and I’m doing the same again! He was so focused last week and he’ll want to chase down the top spot. I’m on Littler to go back to back.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.