THE darts player they call Superman is worried about only one thing going into the UK Open at the Reebok – and it’s not Kryptonite.

Matt Clark enters the competition, dubbed the FA Cup of Darts, at the third-round stage at the home of Bolton Wanderers.

And the notoriously rowdy crowd is causing the Walkden thrower a few sleepless nights.

“If the fans don’t like you it can be a massive problem,” said Clark.

“The crowd can be very aggressive. They are very close in the early rounds and can be virtually stood next to you.

“It’s fine if they are on your side but if they turn on you, or have even had a bet on your opponent, they can have a huge impact.”

Clark is ranked 38 in the world at the moment and reached the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay in 2008.

But the 42-year-old, who plays for the Top Bull in Breightmet in the Astley Bridge Darts League, has had a mixed 2010 so far.

He said: “I’ve had a very erratic six months. I’ve had a couple of last eights and hit a nine-darter in Gibraltar.

“I play well one day and then the next day look like I’ve never thrown a dart before. It’s weird.

“I’ve started a company supplying darts equipment and have been building that up and, subconsciously, I think that’s had an impact.”

Clark says the secret to his success at this year’s Open is simple – avoid Phil Taylor.

The Power, the 2009 winner, is in the form of his life after becoming the first player in history to hit two nine-darters in one game in last week’s Premier League final.

“You pray for a kind draw and that means avoiding Phil,” said the top-32 seed, who moved to the area from Kent four years ago. “The way he is playing at the moment is unbelievable – it’s never been seen before.

“When you come up against someone in that kind of form you’re not going to beat him.

“He’s so good it’s like he starts a leg up in every game, but you’ve got to go into it and think you can beat him.

“I’ve beaten him twice before. The last time was at the Antwerp Open but that was a long time ago.

“I won comfortably that day so you never know.”