Adam Pope surprised by what was heard about Bamford in Leeds United v Oxford Utd
Adam Pope was surprised after Simon Rix revealed Patrick Bamford’s actions on the bench as Leeds United beat Oxford United on Saturday.
The 31-year-old was an unused substitute again as Daniel Farke’s men claimed a 4-0 win at Elland Road on 23 December, with five others given the nod instead, including Isaac Schmidt and Josuha Guilavogui.
He was awarded 25 minutes during the 1-1 draw against Preston North End in the game before, but without a single Championship start this season, speculation is beginning over his future at Elland Road.
Speaking via the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast [23 December], Simon Rix said: “With Bamford, he wasn’t warming up at half time at all.
“When we scored the third goal, I didn’t actually see this so this is third-hand information, but he apparently disappeared down the tunnel with a cup of tea, coffee, hot soup, something like that. A bit like, ‘I know I’m not coming on’. What do we read into that?”
Pope replied: “That’s really interesting, Simon. I remember before any subs had been made, he put his snood over his mouth and with went back into the dugout or down the tunnel.
“I thought he might get the nod against Joseph. I was surprised he didn’t get a run-out at all.”
Is Patrick Bamford on his way out of Leeds United?
With the January transfer window now on the horizon, speculation over his future at Elland Road has begun to swirl, with Wrexham one of the latest destinations mooted [Jonny Buchan].
The veteran striker has played just 102 minutes of league football this season, and while he has been hindered by injury, he is now being kept out of the starting XI by Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph.
If the player was not 100 per cent fit to start the game, giving him a few minutes towards the end of a 4-0 win would have made a lot of sense, but if the above is true, he surrendered that chance quite early on.
Instead of him, Schmidt, Guilavogui, Wilfried Gnonto, Joseph and Largie Ramazani were all given valuable minutes after Manor Solomon scored a fourth to all but confirm the victory.
Farke may have been upfront with the player before the game about his chances of getting onto the pitch, but if that were the case, his spot on the bench should have gone to someone else.
In other Leeds United, one pundit has been outraged by “completely nonsensical” transfer news at Elland Road.
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