James Wade plans to ‘make life awkward’ for pros after PDC European Championship win

James Wade revealed he plans to “make life awkward” for the PDC elite after defeating Rob Cross in the opening round of the European Championship.

The Ash-born star produced a 6-3 win, averaged 100.71, and knocked out the former two-time winner at the first hurdle.

Wade previously won the tournament in 2018, but despite a strong start to this year’s competition, he plays down his title prospects.

He told the PDC: “I’m just here to make numbers up, have a go, and make life awkward for the big guns.

“I think [the performance] was steady, Eddy, but could have been a bit better. I probably let Rob [Cross] in a few opportunities I probably shouldn’t of.

“But, yeah, it’s all good. Rob took out some tremendous finishes, you know, but I missed probably two or three easier ones so I think it’s a different conversation.”

Cross checked out high finishes of 117 and 140 to win his second and third leg, but Wade’s superior display on scoring contributed to the win. The Machine hit 4 180’s and 11+ 140’s over the nine legs.

The 41-year-old stated that his chances of winning his next game rely heavily on his routine that he followed in his first game.

“We’ll see who it is. Hopefully, I’ll have the concentration in the practice room tomorrow as I do today.

“So, that’s what it all boils down too to me. All these European Tours, all this garbage that goes on. It’s not that I’m not good enough, it’s that I’ve not got the concentration span sometimes and I don’t really care.

“Even though I do when I’ve lost, cause it’s the end of the world, it’s not black and white.

“If only I put as much concentration in tonight for the last 12-months as I have done tonight, I would have done a lot better you know. I don’t and I haven’t, I am what I am.”

He then opened up further about how his struggles and shared more about how concentration impacts his overall game.

“It doesn’t matter what it is, it doesn’t matter where it is, it doesn’t matter who it is, it doesn’t matter what tournament it is. It matters of what James is here.

“I’ve said it a million times, so no-one really listens to it. If I’m concentrating, I’m pretty dangerous. If I’m not, I’m quite an easy game.

“Don’t exhaust yourself entirely on what I win and what I don’t win, look a little bit further into what I’m concentrating on and what I’m not concentrating on.

“If I’m concentrating and engrossed in the game, then I’m good enough to beat anyone.

Image by Taylor Lanning.