OFF the ball movement is the key to footballing success.

At the height of Bill Shankly's Liverpool career it was rumoured that if any one of his players remained stationary for more than five seconds they would receive a post-match club fine.

If that policy was adapted at Bolton then we would have a much-reduced wage bill.

You can understand Jay Spearing's need to move on from Bolton.

He would work hard, find time and space to receive the ball, turn 360 degrees on the spot and only see statues.

Then, to add insult to injury, the Bolton fans would boo him when he made a bad pass.

If you are constantly on the move you can adapt more efficiently to new situations and not appear to be too slow.

You can collect the ball in front of an opposing player instead of waiting behind him.

Your off-the-ball anticipation becomes more productive and you have more on-the-ball choices because your team-mates have found space – you are no longer chasing shadows.

Our performance against Aston Villa was much improved but to score goals and win games in the Championship we need to step up our game again in all departments and compete for 90 minutes plus.

Come on Bolton, put a couple of wins together and once again we would be onwards and upwards. 

Tony Ambrose

Blackrod