BBC Sport pundit Ellen White wowed by Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford v Nottingham Forest
BBC Sport pundit Ellen White was impressed with Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford in the early stages of the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (4 April).
Javi Gracia opted to start without a recognised striker in the loss to Arsenal on Saturday (1 April), with Bamford handed just five minutes from the bench.
But the striker operated from the start in a central role against Steve Cooper’s men at Elland Road, much to the delight of former England women’s striker White.
“They didn’t go with a striker last game,” White said on BBC Radio 5 Live, as quoted by BBC Sport. “I like his style. He’s an out and out striker.
“He’s still finding his form but I think you need a nine on the pitch to score goals.”
Frustrating campaign
Bamford is enduring yet another injury-hit campaign for Leeds, with the striker limited to 20 Premier League appearances this season.
He has managed just two goals from those matches, in what has been a difficult campaign individually and indeed a difficult campaign as a whole for Leeds.
Gracia turned to the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Brenden Aaronson and Jack Harrison against the Gunners as Bamford was forced to watch on from the bench for the first 85 minutes.
Having stayed up by just three points last season, the Whites have been flirting with relegation for many months now this time around, with Gracia now attempting to be the new hero at Elland Road and save them from the drop.
But also expected to play a key role in any survival will be Bamford, who is more than capable of finding the back of the net when free from injury and fully fit.
Unfortunately it remains to be seen if the striker can get back to his very best by the end of the season.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites reportedly face competition from Italy and Spain in order to secure the services of one Championship star.