Wrexham are through to the EFL Trophy semi-finals after defeating Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night, and one player has been hailed for his role in the win.
Despite the majority of Wrexham’s focus being on the promotion race in League One this season, this EFL Trophy run has come from nowhere to become an exciting mission for the club.
The Red Dragons are now one game away from a return to Wembley, with only Peterborough standing in their way on the path to the EFL Trophy final now.
Phil Parkinson’s men were able to grind out a 1-0 win over Bolton last night, with a number of players putting in standout performances. But, one man stood out from the crowd.
Lewis Brunt returns for Wrexham with big performance
He may not have gotten the best score in our player ratings for the game, but Lewis Brunt was celebrated by Wrexham fans on Twitter/X after the final whistle.
The Fearless in Devotion podcast posted at full-time to hail a “great result”, ending the tweet with the claim that Brunt is “an absolute Rolls Royce of a defender.”
Among the replies, one fan commended the “more direct” approach Brunt takes to the game, applauding him for “bursting forward” with the ball.
Another said Brunt was “really good all game”, while also offering praise for his defensive teammate, Dan Scarr, for his performance on the night.
For one fan, though, Brunt may be playing in the wrong position given his attributes. He posted: “The lad is made for midfield. He is literally everything we are missing to drive us forward. Strong, dynamic, and pacey.”
Another described Brunt as “absolute quality”, with the defender the first name on their mind at the final whistle.
Phil Parkinson must keep Lewis Brunt in starting lineup now
Prior to his injury, Brunt was a key man in Parkinson’s Wrexham squad, and after last night’s display, he has to be one of the first names on the team sheet once more.
Wrexham have looked far more vulnerable at the back in Brunt’s absence, and when he’s moved back to his preferred role on the left side, the Red Dragons will have a really good balance with Max Cleworth on the right.
The problem for Parkinson will be to find the right man to cover the middle. Eoghan O’Connell has looked shaky in recent weeks, and Dan Scarr isn’t quite starting XI quality when it comes to the league. Tom O’Connor may well be the way to go, but this will surely be a position Wrexham look at in the summer.