Wright ready to face the Wolves boos

PETER WRIGHT admits he’s ready to hit the boos when he faces Fallon Sherrock in the Grand Slam.

The World Champion takes on the oche queen in his opening Group E clash in Wolverhampton tonight (Saturday).

Wright, 52, beat Sherrock twice in the same tournament a year ago but knows she can be tough to beat when in the mood. 

He said: “You are still going to get it from the crowd because they want Fallon to win.

“If she decides to want to concentrate watch out. She proved it against Gabriel Clemens and proved it against myself in the later stages when it was over a long distance. I managed to get over the line but I was pushed all the way.”

Wright has struggled so far this year with health problems and had his gallbladder removed just three months ago - now his wife Jo has just had the same op.

He added: “I haven't had a lot of practice this week, I have been looking after Jo, she has just had her gallbladder removed, just a couple of months after I did. Her stone was bigger than mine, she always wants to do better doesn't she. 

“But mentally I feel good, healthwise I feel good. Against Fallon I am going to have the whole crowd against me like I normally do but I am used to that. 

“Alan Soutar is in the group, he has a fantastic record against me and he has a new set up system which improves his darts and we have Nathan Aspinall, who I class as one of the top players this year. 

“He has performed really well, so a real tough group and if I manage to get through that I will be really happy.”

Wright has yet to win the Slam with three final defeats but believes he can end the jinx and go back to World No.1 ahead of rival Gerwyn Price.

He said: “I have never won it, three times in the final. I have learned my lesson about what I have done wrong in those finals, preparation wise and I won't be doing that again.

“It has been a privilege and been one of my dreams to be No.1 in the world but my performances have not shown being No.1 in the world and I am really gutted. “Gezzy has shown the form this year why he is No.1 and that is good that he is proving a point. We are at the end of the year now and hopefully I can show everyone why I want to be No.1 and I am going to be No.1.”

Words: Phil Lanning.

Images: Taylor Lanning.