WADE CLAIMS PLAYERS ARE BEATEN BY OCCASION AGAINST LITTLER AND HUMPHRIES

JAMES WADE believes some players are beaten by the occasion when facing Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.

The world No6 says the pair have developed the same psychological edge once held by legends Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.

Wade, 43, has a better record than most against both stars, including a 10-7 win over Littler at last season’s European Championship, which remains the teenager’s last defeat at a major event.

The Aldershot slinger has triumphed in two of the last five meetings when facing Humphries on the big stage.

Wade believes the fear factor surrounding the lethal Lukes can sometimes play a bigger role than the darts itself.

He said: “It’s no different to any other player. I think a lot of players let the occasion get to them. Don’t be under any illusion, it’s not that they play amazingly all the time.

“Some of the time they win games because of who they are. The other big players can choose to admit that or deny that.

“It is up to them. Some of the players, when they do lose to them, the occasion gets to them rather than the game.”

Since the start of 2025, only Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen have won a major title outside of Cool Han and The Nuke.

Wade feels Littler and Humphries have reached a level where their reputations can give them an advantage before a match has even started.

He added: “They’ve almost got what Michael [van Gerwen] had and Phil Taylor had. Especially Phil Taylor, he had a real hold over some players.

“I mean, I played him so many times. It wasn’t that I feared playing him or I couldn’t beat him.

“It was just he somehow did something magical at that time.”

The 11-time major winner also believes the huge attention around Littler can impact how some opponents approach their meetings.

He continued: “I think where the media carry Luke Littler so much, I do believe some of the games, not many but some of the games, are because people are playing him rather than a game of darts.

“That is what I believe.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning