EFL pundit Courtney Sweetman-Kirk says Wanderers have a good platform to build from – but must improve in the final third next season.

The Whites narrowly missed out on a return to Wembley in the play-offs following a 2-1 aggregate defeat against Barnsley.

Ian Evatt’s men scored the fewest number of goals out of the top seven clubs in the division this term, and Sweetman-Kirk insists that has to change.

Speaking as a Sky Sports pundit, she said: “They have (made progress) this season. But in the final third there is still a lot to do.

“62 goals this season is the least in the top seven so that is where they need to improve. But they are possession-based and the build-up play looks really good.

“Was it a successful season? Any manager will probably say no because they want to win, but there were successes within the season.

“There was progress and that is the important thing – that they can build on that going into next season.”

Wycombe defender Joe Jacobson was also a pundit for the fixture and felt Wanderers weren’t brave enough in the final third at times against the Tykes.

“They didn’t (create a lot). That is something we have come to expect from Bolton this season, creating a lot of chances and controlling the ball within the opposition’s half,” Jacobson explained.

“I don’t think they had enough controlled possession in Barnsley’s defensive third. In the first leg, there was only really one time when they did that and they scored from it.

“They were close at times but I just thought they lacked a bit of inventiveness, maybe a little bit of risk being taken from some players.

“The longer the game went on, no-one wanted to be the one to give the ball away or make a mistake. Unfortunately for them, it didn’t come off.”

James Trafford and Conor Bradley both played their final game for Wanderers after successful loan spells from Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.

“It is not easy (to replace them) but like Ian Evatt said, they knew this was going to happen,” Jacobson continued.

“They are a huge club at this level so they can attract players. They obviously have good links to Liverpool and Manchester City so they will find the next ones, it is whether or not they can have that success.

“You saw with MK Dons last season, they had a lot of loanees who did really well. They struggled to find replacements for them at times.

“It is going to be difficult but I’m sure that in a few days’ time, they will be on that.”