Bolton Wanderers right-back Josh Dacres-Cogley has been a key element of the Trotters’ recent resurgence, contributing three assists in his last seven starts to help the team move into a play-off place.
The appointment of Steven Schumacher has seen the club revitalised. That has extended to the form of Dacres-Cogley, who has made 50% of his total assists since the former Stoke City manager’s arrival.
His displays have not gone unnoticed. The player’s current deal is set to expire in the summer, and this has reportedly caught the attention of a League One rival.
Former Birmingham City Man Developing Into Standout League One Player
After playing a starring role in the team’s run to the League One play-offs last season, Dacres-Cogley has continued to prove his importance to this Bolton Wanderers side.
The 28-year-old is rarely dribbled past on the right-hand side. Playing in front of a back three, he has produced a tackle success rate of over 85%.
His talents were on display in a 3-1 win over former club Birmingham City last weekend. The player completed all five tackles and provided an assist in an all-action display.
Dacres-Cogley has improved his output of key passes from 0.8 to 1.4 per game. In addition, he has increased his total successful passes by over 20% from the 2023/24 campaign.
Few players can continue to improve to the scale that the former Crawley Town man has over his 100 appearances for Tranmere Rovers as he approaches the same tally for Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton Wanderers Risk Losing Key Player
Dacres-Cogley has been with Bolton Wanderers since the summer of 2023 and may be considering his options having not agreed to a new deal.
It is now being reported by Alan Nixon that League One side Leyton Orient are targeting a deal for the talented defender.
Ethan Galbraith is talented in that position but can be utilised in multiple positions further up the pitch. There is scope to add a first-choice player in that role to improve the options available to Richie Wellens.
Leyton Orient are currently on a five-match losing run that has seen them fall seven points behind Bolton Wanderers in sixth place.
The O’s appeared a strong favourite to be in the playoffs this season. Their recent losing streak comes off the back of one defeat in 15 League One matches.
Their prior run included 12 wins, two draws and an away win at Wrexham.
Dacres-Cogley played in both matches as his Bolton Wanderers side picked up 2-1 victories against Leyton Orient this season. The defender completed a combined seven tackles across 180 minutes in those fixtures