HUMPHRIES RELISHES “I PREDICT A RIOT” HOME CROWD ADVANTAGE

By Phil Lanning

LUKE HUMPHRIES hopes that the spirit of the Leeds’ anthem “I Predict A Riot” can drive him to a vital winning hat-trick.

The reigning Premier League champion needs more glory at the Leeds Arena tonight (Thurs) if he is to achieve his goal of defending his title at the O2 later this month. 

Humphries, 31, is unbeaten in six matches on that stage but currently sits in sixth in the table, two points behind Michael van Gerwen who occupies the last qualification place in fourth.

He faces Josh Rock in his quarter-final. On whether his walk-on tune and atmosphere can push him to glory, he admitted: “Course it can. It can give you that bit of buzz, a bit of a spur on. When you’ve got that adrenaline going through you, it can make you perform better. 

“There’s always a bit of added pressure when you are playing in front of a crowd that is going to be warming to you than others. 

“Some of the games I’ve been in have been a scrap. But I desperately didn’t want to lose. I feel that sometimes that’s what you need. 

“You want to win more than ever. I need to win more than ever to be fair. It’s something that has been on my shoulders the last two years and I’ve probably performed to the standard I wanted to. 

“Hopefully it pays dividends again. Doing a hat-trick would be quite surreal, it’s capable. If I can do it then it definitely helps my top four goal.

“It’s going to be a tough game with Josh, he’s starting to find his feet a little bit. He’s going to be up for it, I’m going to be up for it. There’s a lot to play for. 

“This is another big game for myself and having the fans behind me is going to help.”

Humphries also believes that if he just manages to sneak into the top four, he could go to the Finals Night at the O2 with less pressure. 

He’s also desperate not to give up his title with a whimper, adding: “If you can just slip in. Probably looked like you weren’t going to qualify for most of the tournament, then you somehow get in. If you manage to win it, it’s all a bit of a bonus.

“I think this would probably be more impressive than last year, because I’d already qualified by the 13th week. It’s nice playing the last three weeks with no pressure on your shoulders. 

“When you know you are in a dogfight to qualify. If you make the final, it’s almost like a free run. 

“If I do manage to qualify I’m going to still feel like the pressure is on my shoulders to win it as reigning champion. 

“I don’t want to at least be able to try and defend it at the O2.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.