WRIGHT HAS CREATED “MONSTER” AND WON’T RETIRE MOHICAN

PETER WRIGHT says he has created a MONSTER and it will never be the last of the mohican.

The double World Champ begins his bid for a third title against transgender player Noa-Lynn Van Leuven at the Ally Pally on Monday night.

Wright, 55, has endured a wretched year of form and even performed in his opening match of the recent Players Championship without the famous mohican hair-do.

But he insists he will never retire the punk-esque ‘Snakebite’ look.

He said: “That was only in Minehead because I was on stage two and I know they only show the last three darts in your match, if you’re lucky. So there’s no point dressing up and having my hair done and everything.

“I’ll still be Snakebite, unfortunately. I’ve created the monster and I’ve still got to stick with it.”

For the first time in years no one is talking about Wright after he slumped to World No30.

He added: “I suppose so because I’ve been playing rubbish all year. All their eyes are on the two Lukes and Gezzy, so that’s good. I’m surprised anyone wants to talk with Wrighty.

“I think I prefer that as well, to be honest. Obviously because I haven’t been performing, so really, the big names are not really looking out for me as a danger, I think.

“I can potentially slip under the radar and maybe upset a few.

“Obviously, I feel bad for all my fans, the way I’ve been playing and stuff like that and the expectation of playing really well at Worlds. If I get through the first round or second round, I normally do pretty good, so it’s just getting over them little nerves in the first round and I think I’ll do alright. I think I’ll do well.

“I’m looking forward to the match potentially with MVG (Michael van Gerwen), so have a great clash with him and that’s the main target I’m looking at the moment, just baby steps.

“I’ve just got to make sure I turn up and play darts for two and a half, three weeks. I’m just going to sneak round the back.”

Wright insists he has the hunger to rise back to the top again.

He said: “People don’t realise that. The thing is I’m playing brilliantly in practice and it’s just not coming out on stage at the moment.

“If I was playing rubbish in practise, then I might be thinking like, wind it down, slowly drop away. But I’m not, I’m playing absolutely brilliant darts and why not the Worlds for it all to click together?”

Wright ended Luke Humphries’ reign as World Champion a year ago after pre-match mind games. But he vowed not to get involved in tactics this time.

He said: “No, I think this year, I let all the other ones do their talking and concentrate on the two Lukes, well-deserved. What both of them have achieved for the darts game, it’s brilliant. It’s only gone higher and higher down to them two and so just let them be having their target and everything on them and the pressures on them.

“I think the main pressure on most of the guys could potentially be picked for Premier League, guys like Gian van Veen, Josh Rock, So the pressure is more on them to do well in the Worlds. I think those two will be very nervous.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.