James Wade hits out over 'lazy' Luke Littler claim as darts ace explains comment

So, my first TV tournament of the year proved to be an interesting watch.

It started well with victory over Mike De Decker - a match in which I played some good darts and was in control of all the way through. The 3-2 win suggested that was not the case, but I don’t think the scoreline was a fair reflection of the overall match, as I always felt confident I was going to get through.

My second-round match against Luke Littler could not have been more of a contrast as I just felt so flat on the night. I could not get into a rhythm and although I had chances in the first two sets to get back into it, Luke’s 110 + averages in the final two sets proved too much.

I must take my hat off to Luke and the way he played, particularly those final two sets where I was well and truly ‘nuked’ by Luke. In fact, it was quite apt that our match was on after the 9pm watershed, as those last two sets of mine were an absolute shocker!

So that’s how things went on stage, but off stage I also seemed to have cause a bit of a stir as well. First of all, let’s clarify I did not say that either of the two Lukes, Littler or [Luke] Humphries respectively, were lazy – quite the opposite with them.

What I did say, and truly believe, was that while both the Lukes are not as yet at the level of Phil Taylor and Michael Van Gerwen at their peak, they are phenomenal players.

For the rest of us, if we want to reach a level where we can compete with the two Lukes on current form and Michael at his best, we need to be a little less lazy – and I include myself in that – and up our game to compete at the standard they have set.

It’s all about being prepared to put the work in – which both Phil and Michael have done to an incredible level in the past – to get to a standard where you can compete in these major televised tournaments and ultimately win them.

That’s certainly the ambition of Luke Humphries, who said after winning in Milton Keynes, how he was only three tournaments away from joining ‘the great James Wade’ on 10 televised tournament wins.

Well thanks for the compliment Luke, and although I don’t consider myself at the level of Phil & MVG when it comes to being considered as a great, the compliment is very much appreciated.

But I don’t consider myself one of the greats, certainly not at Phil or Michael's level. However, I won those tournaments when Phil and Michael were at their peak, and I know there was no lazy short cut to achieving any of those wins.

Back to this week and the start of the Premier League. As always it should be interesting with Luke Littler back to defend his title.

Let’s see how he gets on with another year under his belt, and once again I think Luke, Humphries, could be his biggest rival for the overall Championship. Don’t rule Michael out of it either as if he was able to recapture his best, he is a danger to everyone no matter what form they are in.

For the rest of the week, there will be no lazing about from me as I continue to put the practice hours in and dream of another televised tournament win. It’s then off to the Pro-Tour in Wigan and getting ready for the UK open at the end of this month. Wish me luck!