TAYLOR GIVES HUMPHRIES SECRET TO RECLAIMING WORLD TITLE

PHIL TAYLOR believes Luke Humphries must develop a “nasty streak” to reclaim the No.1 spot at the oche.

The 16-time world champion says Humphries has the talent, but to become the best again, he needs to add a ruthless edge to his game.

‘Cool Hand’ has surged to new heights in the sport over the past two years after picking up EIGHT major titles.

But the Cheshire thrower has been surpassed by teenage sensation Luke Littler, who has triumphed over him in their last three major ranked final encounters.

Taylor reckons Humphries needs to be tougher if he wants to stop Littler from retaining his World Championship crown this Saturday.

He told SunSport: “I was a bit of a loner, really. I kept myself to myself.

“I tried to keep away from the players’ hotels and wherever they were, I’d go to the other side.

“But again, you’re up there, you’re fighting for your career. My dad used to say, you’re only as good as your next game.

“I mean Luke Humphries, for me, is too nice. He’s a lovely lad, he really is. He’s very kind-hearted and he talks lovely and he is very nice.

“Whether he’s got it in the back of his mind, he does need that little bit of a nasty streak in him to be that complete winner.

“To win multiple world titles, you’ve got to be a little bit aggressive and a little bit, you know, wanting it. Fight for it.

“Over the upcoming years, Luke Littler’s form is going to drop. Everybody does.

“And it’s a matter of reinventing yourself. How do I get better? What do I do now so I can get up to Michael van Gerwen’s top standard?

“Whoever comes above you, you have to then raise your game to match them and beat them. And that’s the challenge.

“Luke’s been beaten a few times. Now he’s got to improve.”

World No2 Humphries is into the fourth round at Ally Pally after avoiding a scare to defeat Gabriel Clemens as he continues his quest for the £1million top prize.

Humphries returns to action on December 30 where he will take on either Nathan Aspinall or Kevin Doets for a spot in the quarter-final at the Worlds.

Image by Taylor Lanning.