HUMPHRIES URGED TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP OVER LITTLER STRUGGLES

LUKE HUMPHRIES has been urged to consider professional help as he looks to overcome his growing struggles against Luke Littler.

Cool Hand spent much of the Premier League season rooted near the foot of the table but back-to-back nightly finals in Aberdeen and Leeds have reignited his hopes of reaching Finals Night.

However, the Cheshire thrower has now lost his last four meetings against Littler, with the most recent two going all the way to a deciding leg.

PDC chief executive Matt Porter admitted Humphries appears to be battling a psychological block in his growing rivalry with the teen sensation. 

He told the Double Tops Podcast: “I think Luke’s struggling in that head-to-head battle at the moment.  

“You know, when you look at the early part of Luke Littler’s career, they were having constant battles and it was kind of 50-50 on who was going to win.

“And Luke Humphries has found himself in some really good positions against Luke Littler in the last few weeks and months and not been able to convert them. 

“And, you know, that’s something that he’s got to overcome mentally because he’s got the game to do it.  

“But obviously, when he starts to feel more negative, his game will drop off a little bit. 

“So I just feel that he’s just got to get that little bit of positivity back in his approach just to get over the line.” 

Presenter Anna Woolhouse then referenced Humphries previously working with a sports psychologist during his dramatic weight-loss transformation. 

She added: “Because a few years ago, when he had the sort of the weight change, the weight loss, he saw a sports psychologist.  

“So that obviously all has been present there, but you feel like he needs to do a bit more of that, maybe? Is that what you’re saying?” 

Porter replied: “He has to make his own decisions and what’s right for his career. But I would never shirk professional help in any sense, in any career.

“You know, I just think he’s got to look at maybe why he’s losing those games and how he can overcome that.” 

Pundit Laura Turner also pointed to Humphries’ body language as a concern during matches.

Turner said: “When you’re a player as good as Luke Humphries, what seems to be happening more and more, and we’ve noticed it as the weeks have gone on, is the fact that he is shaking his head.

“He is looking very defeatist up there. And he’s still got a chance.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.