Leeds United: Daniel Farke has Patrick Bamford decision to make, ‘the goals have dried up’
Leeds United should retain faith in Patrick Bamford despite his goals drying up in recent games, Paul Robinson has said.
The 30-year-old striker has failed to score in any of his previous six Championship appearances with his last goal coming in the 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on 8 March.
Daniel Farke opted to keep Bamford out of the starting XI as the Whites were beaten 1-0 by Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (13 April), a game where LeedsLive reported (14 April) he was involved in a spat during a rondo drill with Mateo Joseph prior to the game.
Robinson acknowledged Bamford is out of form at this moment in time but thinks Leeds should avoid the temptation to make wholesale changes despite a poor run of form that has seen them win just once in their past five Championship games.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “There’s what three games left? They’ve got a really important game Monday night at Middlesbrough, then they’ve got QPR, then they’re at home to Southampton. Southampton have a lot more games left than anyone else.
“I think when you look at the three games, Leeds have been excellent all season, what he’s done has been tried and tested, you wouldn’t think there’s calls to make huge and substantial changes to anything.
“I mean, yes, the form’s not been great, the defeat to Blackburn Rovers was hugely disappointing following the home draw against Sunderland.
“I think the thing with Patrick dropping out the side, the goals have dried up in recent games, but they’re sat third for a reason with 87 points, two off the top, because they’ve had an excellent season.
“And those players who have got Leeds in that position I don’t think there’s any call now to make wholesale changes because what they’ve got is tried and tested and works.”
Leeds United need Patrick Bamford spark
It was a big, big call from Farke to leave Bamford out of the starting XI against Blackburn but even off the bench he didn’t exactly press his calls for a starting berth.
The thing with Bamford is that he is a confidence striker. Once he gets a goal, much like buses, two or three tend to arrive in quick succession.
The problem right now is that Leeds don’t really have the time to be patient while he finds form. They’ve dipped at the wrong time but they still have a great chance of automatic promotion.
What they could really do with in the final three games is Bamford finding a spark. If he fires in the last three games then Leeds can still get over the line that’s for sure.
In other Leeds United news, the club haven’t spoken to one player out on loan about his future.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.