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ONE hundred games, three different managers and a handful of trophies - yet life at Wanderers hasn't always been fantastic for captain Jay Spearing.
It is a reflection of just how hurly-burly Championship existence has been for the Whites that the midfielder is already looking at the century milestone, just over two years since making his very first appearance.
Spearing will reach the landmark as he leads the side out against Brentford today looking to continue a significant upturn in personal form over the last month.
The 25-year-old suffered more than most in Wanderers' depressing start to the campaign under Dougie Freedman.
Once the first name on the team-sheet, some supporters were questioning his place in the side as a bad run got steadily worse.
Of course that highly-publicised yet quickly forgotten holiday snap that appeared over the international break did little to improve his standing in the eyes of some. But as he steamed round the pitch at St Andrew's and The Valley in the last few days, those same fans have started to sing the Scouser's name once again in recognition of the new energy he has discovered since the arrival of Neil Lennon.
Spearing has looked like a player reborn since Freedman's departure, snapping into challenges and moving the ball in a manner more reminiscent of his first season at Bolton, when he swept the board of individual honours.
Brought to the club by Owen Coyle to bolster a midfield that had struggled to adjust to football in the second tier, his debut proved to be a game-changer for the then-Whites boss as fans called for his head in public for the first time in a 3-1 defeat at Hull City.
Spearing looked to have found his niche under Freedman and was installed as captain in Zat Knight's absence but from that solid base it has not all been plain sailing since making the move from Anfield permanent for £1.5million in August last year. Like the team in general, last season saw Spearing struggle for the same consistency as he had shown as a loanee.
However his resurgence in the last few games suggest that tactics may have played their part. Team-mate Dorian Dervite spoke of a "freedom" currently being felt by the players on the pitch and a handful, Spearing included, seem to be taking maximum benefit.
Often employed in a role in front of the back four, Spearing has been given more licence to roam by the new manager and other than Chung-Yong Lee, has probably been the best player on the park for Wanderers over the course of the last three games.
But while performances have picked up since Lennon's arrival, Tuesday night's defeat at Charlton illustrated there is still plenty more work left to do.
Wanderers remain in the bottom three and would do well to escape it even with victory against Brentford.
It is a time for leaders to emerge on the pitch and so naturally, fans are looking towards the captain.
Source
It is a reflection of just how hurly-burly Championship existence has been for the Whites that the midfielder is already looking at the century milestone, just over two years since making his very first appearance.
Spearing will reach the landmark as he leads the side out against Brentford today looking to continue a significant upturn in personal form over the last month.
The 25-year-old suffered more than most in Wanderers' depressing start to the campaign under Dougie Freedman.
Once the first name on the team-sheet, some supporters were questioning his place in the side as a bad run got steadily worse.
Of course that highly-publicised yet quickly forgotten holiday snap that appeared over the international break did little to improve his standing in the eyes of some. But as he steamed round the pitch at St Andrew's and The Valley in the last few days, those same fans have started to sing the Scouser's name once again in recognition of the new energy he has discovered since the arrival of Neil Lennon.
Spearing has looked like a player reborn since Freedman's departure, snapping into challenges and moving the ball in a manner more reminiscent of his first season at Bolton, when he swept the board of individual honours.
Brought to the club by Owen Coyle to bolster a midfield that had struggled to adjust to football in the second tier, his debut proved to be a game-changer for the then-Whites boss as fans called for his head in public for the first time in a 3-1 defeat at Hull City.
Spearing looked to have found his niche under Freedman and was installed as captain in Zat Knight's absence but from that solid base it has not all been plain sailing since making the move from Anfield permanent for £1.5million in August last year. Like the team in general, last season saw Spearing struggle for the same consistency as he had shown as a loanee.
However his resurgence in the last few games suggest that tactics may have played their part. Team-mate Dorian Dervite spoke of a "freedom" currently being felt by the players on the pitch and a handful, Spearing included, seem to be taking maximum benefit.
Often employed in a role in front of the back four, Spearing has been given more licence to roam by the new manager and other than Chung-Yong Lee, has probably been the best player on the park for Wanderers over the course of the last three games.
But while performances have picked up since Lennon's arrival, Tuesday night's defeat at Charlton illustrated there is still plenty more work left to do.
Wanderers remain in the bottom three and would do well to escape it even with victory against Brentford.
It is a time for leaders to emerge on the pitch and so naturally, fans are looking towards the captain.
Source