Spring, in retrospect, welcomed point by critics (5)
I believe the answer is:
panel
'spring in retrospect welcomed point by critics' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'spring in retrospect welcomed point' is the wordplay.
'spring' becomes 'leap' ('leap' can be a synonym of 'spring'**).
'in retrospect' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'welcomed' indicates putting letters inside (in sense of 'invited in').
'point' becomes 'n' (N is an example).
'leap' backwards is 'pael'.
'pael' enclosing 'n' is 'PANEL'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for panel that I've seen before include "Team of judges" , "Bordered rectangle (in door etc)" , "regularly beaten by bodywork experts?" , "Piece of wood" , "Body section" .)