Luke Littler reveals the hidden tactics darts fans don't see as he adjusts for World Matchplay blockbuster
Wary Luke Littler admits he'll have the need for speed in his Betfred World Matchplay showdown against Andrew Gilding.
The World Champion is just three games from winning his first-ever Blackpool darts title at the iconic Winter Gardens.
Littler's next opponent is Gilding on Friday night and the teenage sensation is hot favourite to overcome the fans' cult hero and reach the semis.
However, The Nuke is aware that it won't be easy with Goldfinger's steady and measured approach not as quick as the kid's pace of play.
Littler admits it's something he'll need to address as the match unfolds and he attempts to hit top gear as he explained: 'You've just got to look at what's in front of you. Andrew Gilding, I've played him once before and you've just got to, for myself, find the routine because he's not the quickest.
'It certainly is going to be a challenge. Obviously, the pace isn't there for myself and, like I did at my first Worlds, you've just got to find some sort of routine that you can get into and I'm sure it'll be a good game.'
Littler booked his place in the last eight with a thrilling fightback success over Jermaine Wattimena.
The youngster was in huge trouble at 7-2 down, but fought back superbly to come through 13-11 in a nerve-shredding cracker.
Littler pointed to the star on his shirt after sealing success and said: 'It was just saying to myself, saying to the fans, World Champion for a reason, we come back. And for myself, I always find these gears somewhere. 'Obviously for myself, I'd rather be blasting off into the lead like I did against Ryan Searle, but it wasn't to be and I pulled out the bag.
'Probably since the Ryan Joyce game, I've not let that much emotion out of me since then. But it's just good to show the emotion and show that I can always find a way to come back. That's probably one of the biggest wins for myself.
'No one can write anyone off. It's darts, anything can happen. Obviously we've seen some big shocks so far. But, like I said, you can't write anyone off. Whoever performs on the day they win.'
Littler also revealed a plan for doubling that he uses after struggling on the outer-ring in the early part of the Wattimena match.
He said: 'I've done it for many years and years. It's like whatever double I leave on the first leg, I'll sort of go for that in the first few legs and see how they work out.
'But ,obviously if you don't pan out, then you've got to swap and the tops and tens worked a little bit, definitely got me over the line.'
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