HUMPHRIES REVEALS NOISE AND PRESSURE AFFECTED WORLD CUP EXIT

LUKE HUMPHRIES says the “noise” and crushing pressure surrounding England’s darting dream team contributed to last year’s shock World Cup exit.

‘Cool Hand’ and Luke Littler will reunite as the top seeds at the pairs tournament next month in Frankfurt after the 40-nation field was confirmed on Monday. 

The lethal Lukes were surprisingly knocked out by hosts Germany in the second round 11 months ago. 

Humphries admits the weight of expectation surrounding the duo became suffocating. 

He said: “I wouldn’t say it is as a whole. But there was so much noise and people were saying you can’t lose a leg, type of thing. 

“We didn’t believe it, but there was so much pressure put on us that we thought we can’t lose, because if we do lose then everyone is going to do what they did. 

“Every time for the next three or four weeks after it was every exhibition we went to, it was like: ‘How did you lose? How did you lose?’

“It was like you wanted to not hear it. I think last year people have seen we can lose, so the expectation this year is a bit lower. 

“But we know if we both bond and play well, it will be an incredible performance from us both.” 

Humphries also dismissed suggestions the pair do not work well together due to arriving at different times at the venue. 

The former world champion revealed he even sat down with The Nuke after the defeat to discuss what went wrong as they looked to plan ahead.  

He added: “We are going to do the same again. There is no you do what I do. Luke says you do what I do. 

“It’s the same scenario as last year. I get to a venue about three and a half hours before I play a game. 

“Luke gets into it about an hour or two before. I said to him last year, you do what you want to do. 

“I’ll come when I want to come. Don’t think you have to come at the same time. We are a team. 

“I think last year a lot was said, and a lot was said that they did not act like a good team. 

“Trust me, me and Luke are good friends. We get on really well. We want to do well. 

“This year we are probably more determined than ever. Last year it was really tough for us to take. 

“We sat down together and were like, what did we do wrong maybe? We were like, we didn’t do anything wrong personally.

“We kind of let the occasion get the better of us. 

“We are more determined and focused than ever to do well in the World Cup because Luke is missing it from his CV and he wants it badly. 

“I’ve got it, but I can help him win it.”