“If I was Stephen now, I’d say you’ve just got to relax” – Luke Littler gives advice to struggling Bunting
“Relax and Get That First Win” – Luke Littler Offers Advice to Struggling Stephen Bunting
What was meant to be a thrilling Premier League Darts experience has turned into a nightmare for Stephen Bunting. After eight of sixteen nights, the 39-year-old Englishman is still searching for his first win. Last Thursday, he suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat to Luke Littler, leaving him at the bottom of the standings.
Bunting has now endured twelve consecutive Premier League matches without a victory. His last win in the competition dates back to 2015 when he dominated Gary Anderson 7-1 in Cardiff. In 2020, he managed a 6-6 draw against Rob Cross as a one-off ‘contender,’ but his full-time return to the tournament has been far from successful.
The record for the longest winless streak in Premier League history belongs to Peter Wright, who went thirteen matches without a victory between 2019 and 2020. If Bunting loses to Nathan Aspinall next Thursday in Berlin, he will equal that record.
Littler’s Words of Encouragement
After Bunting’s 6-0 loss in Newcastle, Littler, who went on to win the night, offered words of encouragement:
“Obviously, Steve’s struggling at the minute. Once he gets that first win, I’m sure he’ll win quite a few in the Premier League. We’re halfway through now, and last week he said he’s putting too much pressure on himself. Without a win in eight weeks, that’s tough. If I was Stephen now, I’d say you’ve just got to relax. Just win that first game. Once he gets that winning feeling, I’m sure he’ll push on. Hopefully, he could even win a night.”
Bunting’s Struggles and Littler’s Success
While Bunting is fighting to find his rhythm, Littler has dominated, leading the table comfortably. The world champion is showing no signs of slowing down, while Bunting must find a way to turn his fortunes around before it’s too late.
The Road Ahead
Bunting has expressed gratitude to his supporters despite receiving criticism online. He remains determined to bounce back and avoid making unwanted history. With half the season left, he still has time to recover—starting with a crucial match against Nathan Aspinall in Berlin.
