By TarnTalk
August 15 2025

The Super Reds second string produced an impressive performance overall to beat high flying Fleetwood of League Two to progress to the second round of the League Cup.

Several players pressed claims for a regular first team spot and certain areas such as central midfield showed that we have strength in depth.

The two standouts for me were Reyes Cleary and Patrick Kelly. I think both should be first team regulars based on the evidence I’ve seen. It would be harsh on whoever is dropped, probably Yoganathan for Kelly, but I feel that these two will improve our first team significantly.

I would also say the full backs have a chance of being first team starters as both played well and the options are naturally centre backs.

But back to Cleary and Kelly. Cleary is the type of winger we have been crying out for. He can beat a man, has pace to burn and is happy to get a shot off or put the ball into the mixer when he gets the opportunity. He was my man of the match on Wednesday and looks a terrific signing based on what I have seen so far.

Kelly looks the type of all action midfielder that will complement Connell and Phillips. He has the box-to-box energy and enthusiasm. He is able to skip past players, and his passing is good too and usually forward. If he can add goals at the end of his bursting runs then what a find he will be.

With Russell and Bland also in the mix I feel we are spoilt for choice in midfield but worry about certain other areas of the team.

Defensively, no matter who plays there, we look extremely frail. Is the answer more signings or do we have the right personnel and just need to find the right combination?

And we still definitely need another centre forward. We can’t go through a full season with a 37-year-old and DKD as our only realistic options especially when DKD will also be playing elsewhere on the pitch.

My team to play Bolton based on what I have seen so far and who I believe to be fit would be:

GK         Cooper

RB         Bland

RCB      De Gevigney

LCB      Shepherd

LB          Earl

CDM    Connell

RCM     Phillips

LCM     Kelly

RW        Keillor-Dunn

LW         Cleary

ST          McGoldrick     

Subs:

Flavell 

Watson

Ogbeta

Russell

Yoganathan

Vickers

Farrell

I’m predicting another win for the reds and going 3 – 1. Goals from Keillor-Dunn, McGoldrick and Phillips. You heard it here first. Get a quid on that.

COYR