Leeds United: ‘Weird’ Patrick Bamford situation leaves pundit on edge after Leicester goal
Paul Robinson believes Patrick Bamford is in a “weird” this season at Leeds United and hopes the latest injury set back isn’t a sign of things to come.
The English striker could hardly get a look in ahead of Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter for the first half of the season, and appeared notably under pressure to make the most of the minutes he was getting as a substitute, without great outcomes.
But after the turn of the year he was given a run of starts by Daniel Farke and responded with five goals and two assists in seven games before missing two with injury.
In the context of the past two seasons of fitness struggles in the Premier League former England keeper Robinson doesn’t know what to think about the fluctuating fortunes the 30-year-old has had this term.
But after a goalscoring cameo off the bench in the wild win over Leicester City following a surprise return to the squad the pundit hopes the most recent absence doesn’t mean more set-backs to come.
He exclusively told MOT Leeds News: “It is weird for him. He’s got himself back scoring goals again and got himself back in the team. We know Piroe and Rutter have played well but they do look a lot better with Patrick Bamford in the side.
“For him personally it was a huge blow [to get injured again]. His inconsistency over the last 12-18 months, with his run of form and his run of injuries, it’s not been ideal for him let’s say.
“And to get back to the level that he was looking like he was at and to pick up another injury again, you just hope these aren’t long-term [issues] for his sake.”
Can Patrick Bamford stay fit long-term for Leeds United?
The striker’s stunning return to form, which he continued by diverting Dan James’ late free kick home with his knee in the wild 3-1 turnaround against the league-leaders, wouldn’t have been expected by many.
It is proving absolutely crucial to the nine-game winning streak that has reduced the gap to the top spot down to six points, so if he can finally enjoy an injury-free run after two years of hell it should be hugely beneficial to Farke and the team.
There have been times over the past year where he looked like he might need to leave Elland Road to get out from under the baggage that had built up, but now the prospect of a long-term Leeds United future is very real, if he can keep himself available.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites ace was slammed by a Sky Sports pundit for a “criminal” situation vs Leicester.
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