Patrick Bamford in the dark at Leeds United after what happened in win v Cardiff City
Leeds United managed to get back to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 win over Cardiff City to ease the pressure on Daniel Farke and his side.
Although the decision makers at Elland Road are thought to still be behind the German [TEAMtalk, 20 September], three points in South Wales on Saturday (21 September) will have ensured the feel-good factor is back at Leeds.
One man who may well have been left slightly in the dark following the win against the Bluebirds however was Patrick Bamford after the former England international was an unused substitute.
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Farke made all three of his five changes in the closing minutes of the second half with only Bamford, second-choice keeper Karl Darlow and youngsters Charlie Crew and James Debayo left on the bench.
Although the Whites boss may not have wanted to risk the forward when he had only just recovered from injury, it does feel as though the 31-year-old has slipped well down the pecking order at Elland Road.
Mateo Joseph is clearly the Whites’ first-choice number nine having started all six of Leeds’ opening Championship matches and Farke’s comments after the game suggest that Joel Piroe is the back-up.
As quoted by Leeds Live (21 September) the Leeds boss said: “With finishing, there is nobody better than him. If you want to play for a big club like Leeds, 46 games and two cups, you cannot play every minute.
“He is motivated to do this.”
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If Piroe is the best finisher in the division, he is always going to be introduced from the bench ahead of Bamford if Leeds United are searching for a goal late on in games.
Unless the former England international is somehow able to force Joseph out of the starting XI and jump ahead of Piroe, it is hard to see how he will play a regular role in this Leeds team for the remainder of the season.
Of course, things can change very quickly in the world of football.
With plenty of games to be played between now and the January transfer window, Bamford could still have a major role to play for Leeds in the coming weeks.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has made a new Junior Firpo contract admission as he is set to exit Elland Road next summer
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