Mark Smith

Sun 22 December 2019 13:00, UK

Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford scored yet again on Saturday, as he continued his good run of form despite the 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

The 26-year-old scored his third goal in the past two games in the second half at Craven Cottage, a goal which matched his tally from last season already midway through this campaign.

Bamford has transformed this year at Elland Road, and a full pre-season appears to have benefitted him massively both on and off the ball.

Former Leeds defender Danny Mills singled out Bamford for praise, claiming that the forward is one of the Whites’ most-improved players this season.

“Patrick Bamford. He’s the one player you’d have to say has improved since last season, attitude, workrate, that may just be down to fitness as he got a full pre-season but also he has stuck at it,” he told Football Insider.

“What was it eight or nine games without a goal? And he wanted to take that penalty, that takes an awful lot of courage as if he missed that…there would have been all sorts of problems.

“His work rate is exceptional, hence why he stayed in the team in his goalless spell.”

Marcelo Bielsa has put his faith in the former Boro man this season and has been repaid massively. Bamford has transformed his game to become more physical and bully defenders.

Even if he isn’t scoring, Bamford is tormenting opposition defences – something which helps other Leeds players get in positions for chances on goal.

Bamford has become undroppable for Leeds this season and has become a pivotal cog of this side, meaning that Mills was spot on to single out the forward for praise.

In other Leeds United news, ‘Delete this’, ‘Absolute joke’ – Many Leeds fans blast official tweet after Fulham defeat