Leeds United future prediction on controversial Patrick Bamford after Elland Road exit speculation
Patrick Bamford is in line to remain at Leeds United for the long-term after his sudden explosion of form under Daniel Farke, says Paul Robinson.
The 30-year-old spent two nightmare seasons battling injury in the Premier League, and after some high-profile misses and unacceptable treatment from supposed fans over the past year it was increasingly speculated that he might need a fresh start elsewhere.
He was reportedly ready to leave in the summer when Farke came in according to the Daily Mail on 10 July but remained in place amid a slew of departures.
Now, having started as back up to Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe this season, Bamford has been brought into the starting XI by the manager since the New Year, and has now responded with five goals and two assists from his seven starts.
Robinson believes Leeds United play better with the Englishman up front as a genuine number nine and has likened his current form to that which helped fire the club to Premier League promotion last time around under Marcelo Bielsa.
He exclusively told MOT Leeds News: “If he keeps playing well and he keeps scoring goals then the future is a long-term one at Leeds.
“There was a time when Leeds couldn’t play without Patrick Bamford. They played with a number nine and didn’t have a solution when he didn’t play or when he wasn’t fit.
“He’s had a turbulent couple of seasons with injury, not hitting form, not able to get back into a groove, but he seems to be back there now.
“It’s important for him personally that he stays fit, he stays well, and he stays in the team scoring goals because Leeds with Patrick Bamford look a lot better team.
“With Rutter and Piroe yes they’ve got a couple of good strikers but neither of them is a real, out and out, number nine and Patrick gives you that option.
“And scoring the goals that he has done now it’s almost reminiscent of the season that they got out of the Championship and the quality he gave then.
“For him it’s just about staying fit and producing the levels that he has done recently, and keeping himself in the team, because the formation doesn’t change but I think with a nine as a figurehead it does slightly affect the way that they play and they’re a better team with him in it.”
Bamford unlocks long-term Leeds United future
Bamford is suddenly showing why a succession of Leeds United managers were so desperate for him to get fit in recent years.
It appears that breakout from Rutter and the move for Piroe has helped take the pressure off him to rush back, and after half a season of frustration on the bench he has now come into his own again.
He has courted controversy this season even in relatively little action, having been accused of being a cheater after Asmir Begovic was sent off in the win at QPR [Daily Mail, 5 October], then criticised for missing a crucial penalty in the loss to Stoke on 25 October.
His latest goal was scored with his arm in the 3-0 defeat of Rotherham at the weekend as he shows no sign of staying out of the spotlight currently but if he can continue with this run via more conventional methods the fizzling out of his Elland Road career will be forgotten.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay expects a series of permanent departures to be on the cards at Elland Road.
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