Michael Smith is eager for darts followers to keep away from placing an excessive amount of stress on the shoulders of 16-year-old Luke Littler.
The reigning world youth champion is into the fourth spherical of this 12 months’s World Darts Championship, guaranteeing him a £35,000 pay day.
However Smith is cautious of the hype Josh Rock acquired in final 12 months’s match earlier than struggling to fulfill expectations on tour.
“He’s good – like, actually good,” mentioned Smith. “However I simply don’t wish to see the hype that Josh Rock acquired final 12 months, and he has struggled a bit this 12 months.
“I don’t wish to put an excessive amount of stress on Luke, particularly being 16 years outdated, however I don’t suppose he has ever misplaced on stage on the PDC.
“He has performed on it 4 instances, in two world youth finals and stuff, and he has at all times performed very well.
“However being on the Tour with one other 127 folks, who can be throwing 95 averages or 100 averages, can be completely different. Simply depart him alone. Simply let him get on with it. Let him discover his toes… however he’s good.”