Carlisle United boss: Why I handed debuts to 17-year-old duo Ryan Carr and Nic Bollado

The teenager got his first start against Fleetwood Town last night.

The youth team prospect was one of two young debutants as Nic Bollado came off the bench.

Both youngsters acquitted themselves well in the Papa John’s Trophy tie.

And manager Simpson explained why he had included Carr in his starting XI.

“He’s got energy, he’s got a real tenacious attitude,” Simpson said.

“In pre-season I thought he did really well for us, just running past people, and he nearly did it in the first half here…

“I thought there were possibly two penalties. Maybe he exaggerated his dive a little bit too much; it’s hard for me to see if there’s any contact, the referee was in a good position so I’ve got to trust that she was right.

“But I just think he’s got energy, and enthusiasm about him. I thought he did well.”

READ MORE: Paul Simpson's verdict on Carlisle United's Papa John's Trophy shoot-out win over Fleetwood Town

Carr  - who turns 18 on Friday – featured at right wing-back and Simpson says he sees the teenager in that role rather than midfield at the moment.

Carr, right, battled well on his senior debut (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“When I was looking at different permutations for the team, thinking how I wanted to rest the starters for the weekend with a view we’ve got Newport and Grimsby away, I considered playing him in that midfield role,” he said.

“I was trying to get the right mix of players to start, considering the criteria [for selecting a team within the trophy rules].

“I considered him playing in midfield, but I do think it’s a bit safer for him being out playing as a wing-back, and he’s done well in pre-season and again tonight in that role.”

Carr’s fellow youth team player Bollado, also 17, caught the eye after replacing Omari Patrick late in the first half.

The forward came close to scoring after the break and Simpson said: “He’s a goalscorer. One of the things I said to him at half time was I thought he could have hit it in the first half when he rolled it to Sonny Hilton.

“It was still a good ball for Sonny but I said to Nic, ‘Have a bit of [bravery] about you, go and strike it, just have a go, see what happens’.

“We all saw what happened when Callum Guy swung his left foot on Saturday, and nearly again tonight as well.

“I was pleased with Nic. Especially when he went wider on the left, he looked really bright and threatening. That type of thing is what helped get us back in the game.”

Simpson also said he had issued both young players with a “verbal jab” the day before the game.

Bollado is third from right as United watch the penalties (photo: Barbara Abbott) (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“I thought they did really well in pre-season, and funnily enough I had a little conversation with them yesterday to say, ‘You’ve taken your foot off it a little bit, you need to get your finger out again because if you don’t do it properly you won’t be involved’,” he said.

“I also told them that I had a real dilemma because I wanted them to be involved on Tuesday night but I was concerned about the way they’d been going about it, and if they were in the 18 it might set the wrong example.

“I reminded them that they needed to knuckle down again, get themselves going, and if their chance did come that they had to show me they deserved it.

“I thought both of them did that. They did really well. In the first half I thought Fleetwood targeted Carrsy a little bit. They sent diagonals onto him, but he competed really well and got up there.

“He didn’t shirk any challenges and he grew into the game. He did some good stuff with the ball so I’m pleased for them both.

“Now they need to show us that they can continue to do that. It can’t be a flash in the pan, or one half decent game and then they fall off the radar. They have to keep pushing themselves and be the best version they can be.”