‘We can’t have that’ – Noel Whelan slams Leeds ‘passenger’ who must up his game v Fulham
BBC pundit Noel Whelan has slammed the performance of Patrick Bamford in the 2-0 loss to Cardiff last week and said he must up his game for Leeds United today.
Leeds welcome Fulham to Elland Road in a game that Whelan has described as a “must-win”.
Talking on West Yorkshire Sport Daily (BBC, Friday, 6pm) Whelan labelled Bamford a “passenger” in the game last Sunday and said, “We can’t have that.”
“We need a Patrick Bamford who works the line,” said Whelan. “It wasn’t just about the chances he missed when opportunities came his way.
“He’s usually a lot more aggressive, more mobile, more involved in the game. I feel he was a passenger [against Cardiff] and we can’t have that.
“He’s our only striker, our number nine and we need him to lead the line with aggression, with confidence and belief. That’s what he needs, more belief in himself.”
Bamford usually adds a lot to Leeds whether he scores or not, which is just as well as his tally of 13 league goals this season isn’t good enough.
This was laid out in stark detail last week after it was revealed that he’s missed 27 ‘big chances’ this season, 10 more than any other player in the Championship.
He was fairly anonymous against Cardiff and was given the worst WhoScored rating of any outfield player. Only Illan Meslier in goal for Leeds got a lower score.
That needs to change today and Fulham are a side that should see Leeds create more big chances.
Their big threat is Aleksandar Mitrovic and Leeds fans must wonder how many goals Fulham’s number nine would have scored this season under a Marcelo Bielsa side that creates so much in the final third.
Bamford has it in him, though, and can get himself back in favour with the fans with a big performance. An early goal would do him the world of good.
A brace? Leeds fans are full of hope ahead of the biggest afternoon of the season so far.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Tense and tight’ – Jeff Stelling & Matt Le Tissier predict score in huge Leeds v Fulham clash