Jay Spearing Leaves Bolton on Loan

Neil Lennon continues to ship out the deadwood from his side, with captain Jay Spearing departing Bolton Wanderers for Watford FC until the end of the season.

The writing's been on the wall for Spearing for several months now, as the dogged midfielder hasn't started a game for Bolton since October 31st against Norwich City, a game in which he was hooked off the pitch at half time due to a woeful performance. Spearing has only managed to appear on the pitch a further five times since, all from the bench. The final nail in the coffin seemed to be the FA Cup tie against Wigan, in which Spearing still couldn't budge the ever present Neil Danns and Darren Pratley, despite the pair playing almost every minute of every game over Christmas.

Spearing first joined the club on loan from Liverpool, on Transfer Deadline Day, August 2012, and he soon became a fulcrum of the Bolton midfield and a fan favourite. He went on to have a great season in a Whites shirt, so much so that most Wanderers fans were clambering for the club to make the deal permanent in the summer.

The club managed to pull off a deal with Liverpool for £1.5m, Bolton's last signing that exceeded £1m, and he was soon given the captains armband, due to the dropping of Zat Knight.

Sadly, in sharp contrast to his first season, Spearing's form rapidly declined and he has never managed to recapture the level of performances he was signed on. His passing grew sloppy, only usually able to pass it sideways, out of play, or really, really, REALLY hard. He became weak in the tackle and became a spineless leader, devolving from a feisty, all-action midfielder, to a guy who just stood, shouted and pointed.

Watching Spearing's fall from grace was very saddening to watch, he came to the club with such potential but never managed to build upon it.

Despite all that however, Spearing will leave the club having given the fans some happy memories: having scored five goals for the club, setting up several goals, and having made countless thunderous tackles.

We all wish Spearing the best of luck on all his future endeavours.