Jay Spearing: Tough task to get back into starting line-up at Blackpool

Jay Spearing has had to settle for a place on Blackpool's bench in recent weeks | jpimedia

Jay Spearing admits he faces an uphill battle to displace the Premier League midfield maestros in Blackpool’s starting line-up when football resumes.

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The Pool skipper has found himself on the bench for the club’s last five games, since missing the trip to Bristol Rovers through concussion.

Since then Matty Virtue has taken his role in the centre of the Seasiders’ midfield but it is the form of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Connor Ronan that has really impressed Spearing.

Dewsbury Hall and Ronan have made a big impact on loan from Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively and Spearing, 31, said: “I knew from day one when the lads came in (during the January transfer window) that it was going to be tough for me to keep my position, whether I’m 31, 21 or whatever.

“I know I have to work hard for it and I have to show I deserve it.

“The concussion probably came at the wrong time for me but that’s football.

“I’m old enough and wise enough to realise that I’ve got to keep knuckling down and working hard to prove to the manager that I’m here and willing to step in and do what I need to do when I’m called upon.

“I felt I did exactly that when I came on (against Tranmere Rovers) last week. I really enjoyed trying to implement what I’m about and what the gaffer’s ideas are.

“Obviously I didn’t enjoy losing the game. I was massively disappointed with that but there was a lot to really enjoy with our nice bits of football. Going forward, it’s a good time to be at the club.”

Spearing knows head coach Neil Critchley well from his time at Liverpool.

He added: “I’ve known the gaffer for many years and in one of our first conversations here he asked me to help him get to know the lads. He knows he can call on me to get a few points across to the lads if they can’t understand what he’s trying to implement, especially on the field with the atmosphere like it was in the last match.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get his points across from the side. That’s something he’ll have to get used to, having come from managing in front of lesser crowds.

“If I’m on the field, I can try to implement what he’s about and the way he wants us to play.

“If I can do that, great. I want to learn from him and I think he’s a really good coach, who brings the best out of players.”