GOOD things come to those who wait, and my, how Wanderers fans have waited.

That fact was not lost on Jay Spearing, who for all his effusive praise for Bolton’s performance in Saturday’s demolition of Blackburn in Saturday’s Reebok derby did not forget to put it into context with what has been a desperately frustrating season to date.

This was truly a day when everything clicked and, for the Scouse midfielder, 90 minutes in which he looked back to his very best.

Like Wanderers, Spearing has been lacking something that was there 12 months ago, but the former Anfield starlet is hoping the recent upturn in form can be a signpost for what the next few months has in store for him and the club.

“It has been a long time coming,” he said. “We’ve been disappointed that things haven’t gone our way but I think we’re starting to get the bit of luck and the points we deserve now.

“I have always believed in the lads and the quality and standard we have. We knew at some point in the season we were going to kick on. We are gutted it took so long but we can only go on from here.”

While he was reluctant to admit it publicly, Spearing came close to joining Blackburn in the summer only to turn down their advances in favour of a move to the Reebok.

It was also not a fact lost on the travelling supporters who jeered his every corner at close proximity.

“I think the papers knew more than me,” he said diplomatically. “But I was expecting the stick from the Rovers fans.”

While there have been times that the group have been called upon to do some soul searching this term, the trick for Dougie Freedman’s side is now to show they can turn back-to-back wins into a serious run of form to eliminate any lingering worries about relegation.

Victory moved Wanderers up into 18th – some nine points clear of trouble, and Spearing hopes the worst of the club’s form is now behind them.

“The fans have stuck behind us throughout this season and we owe them massive thanks,” he said. “Fingers-crossed we can stay on this run.

“There have been times when I felt we didn’t get points we deserved but the group has kept ourselves going, now we’re showing what we are all about. We need to kick on.

“We want to pick up as many points as possible. We have a tough game at Leeds next week when we need to play the same again and, hopefully, come away with three points.”

Spearing also cracked his second goal of the campaign, via the crossbar, but needed the endorsement of referee Paul Tierney’s far-side linesman before the goal was awarded.

“From where I was I just stuck my hands up, I didn’t see it,” he admitted. “Was it over the line? If it was then I am very happy with that.”