BBC 5 Live caller believes that Gareth Southgate was right to take off Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford
A BBC 5 Live caller has revealed that he thinks Gareth Southgate was right to take Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford off against Andorra.
The 28-year-old was handed his England debut on his birthday, but Southgate hooked him and replaced him with Harry Kane with the score at 1-0 to the Three Lions.
England then went on to win 4-0, and this caller believes that the England manager was right to take Bamford off, which drew a response from Chris Sutton.
The caller said: “I just think it’s frustrating that he’s getting so much flak on social media; he made the right decision today.
“I just think it’s really frustrating that Southgate is getting flak for making these tough decisions when he was getting flak for not making decisions earlier.”
Sutton then said: “Gareth Southgate can’t win with the one. The substitutions changed the game.
“I can understand the other side as well; if you’re Patrick Bamford, do you feel an hour is long enough to show Gareth Southgate what you can do?”
The caller then responded: “I think Patrick Bamford’s a great player; I was really happy that he got his opportunity today, and I think he will do in the future.
“If I put myself in Patrick Bamford’s position, get the ball, get your head down, make some runs, make it happen.”
Bamford right to be subbed off?
Overall, the Leeds forward probably should have been given a bit longer on the pitch as in the time he was on the pitch, the Three Lions provided him with very little service.
The 28-year-old is used to being the focal point of the attack, and most of the Whites’ moves go through him, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday.
Ultimately, Bamford was starved of service and made little impact on the game because no one created an opportunity for him.
If he had remained on the pitch just a little bit longer and got the chance to link up with Jack Grealish and Mason Mount, you would have thought he could have marked his debut with a goal.
However, you can’t blame Southgate because his changes turned the game around, and the Three Lions won comfortably.
We just feel a little bit sorry for Bamford on this occasion.
In other Leeds United news, Rob Page has delivered his verdict on Dan James moving to Elland Road.