Stephen Bunting is still searching for his first Premier League win after a dismal start to the tournament and sits at the bottom of the standings after seven nights of action.
His poor run continued last week with a seventh consecutive defeat in Cardiff.
Bunting has now lost to every other player in the competition, including a 6-4 defeat to Luke Humphries in Dublin on night three.
World number one Luke Humphries has a theory about his friend's struggles on the oche.
Luke Humphries has given some advice to Stephen Bunting
PA
Speaking to talkSPORT before night seven in Cardiff, Humphries suggested Bunting's walk-on song might be affecting his performance.
"I said to him I don't know if the walk on song is affecting him a little bit at the start," Humphries revealed.
Bunting's entrance to David Guetta and Sia's 'Titanium' has made him a fan favourite but could be hindering his game.
Humphries explained the issue further: "Nathan (Aspinall) had this and told me the buzz is so high that for the first couple of legs it's hard to come down from."
The world champion offered specific advice to his struggling friend.
"I said to him when you do your walk on, do it but give yourself 15 or 20 seconds at the table before you throw your practice darts and allow yourself to come down from that adrenaline."
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Humphries noted the advice helped: "He didn't win but he played better."
Bunting now faces a tough challenge against Luke Littler in Thursday's opening round at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
The matches are determined by the standings, pitting the bottom-placed Bunting against second-placed Littler.
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Stephen Bunting is a fan favourite and his walk-on song brings about an electric atmosphere
PA
Humphries believes Bunting could still turn things around: "Three wins out of the next 10 weeks he could do it."
This year marks Bunting's first Premier League appearance since featuring as a one-off challenger in 2020.
He previously competed in 2015, finishing third from bottom in eighth place.
Despite his Premier League struggles, Bunting is currently ranked sixth in the world.
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Stephen Bunting is well-loved but has yet to win a single game in the Premier League this year
PAHis recent form had been impressive before the Premier League, having won the 2024 Masters, also reaching the semi-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship.
Meanwhile, Humphries will take on home favourite Chris Dobey at the Newcastle venue.
The world number one currently sits second in the Premier League standings behind Luke Littler.
Humphries has already secured two nightly wins this season, claiming in Belfast and Exeter.
