BBC journalist stunned by Patrick Bamford vs Crysencio Summerville discovery at Leeds United ahead of possible start at Rotherham United
Jonny Buchan was stunned to learn that Patrick Bamford is averaging more shots per game this season for Leeds United than stand-out Crysencio Summerville.
The BBC Leeds journalist said on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet on 22 November that the stat on the striker, who is likely to be starting against Rotherham on Friday night with Georginio Rutter now a doubt, was “amazing”.
Bamford, 30, has only made eight appearances this term, all off the bench, and hasn’t yet found the net, while Summerville, 22, has played nearly 10 times more minutes in the Championship as a regular starter and scored six times.
Simon Rix said (10m): “One of the things we learned last night was that for Patrick Bamford’s confidence he’s had more shots per-90 than Crysencio Summerville.”
Buchan replied: “Yeah, amazing that. I could not believe that. That’s this season, more shots.”
“Yeah so he’s going into Rotherham on a hot streak,” Rix added somewhat sarcastically.
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While it sounds impossible for Bamford to be cramming more shots into late substitute appearances than Summerville has across full games it ties into the obvious mindset of the striker at the moment.
He was criticised for missing the penalty which he had won at Stoke City on 25 October just after coming on, rather than allowing the in-form Dutch winger to take it in the eventual 1-0 loss.
It seems clear that the Englishman is desperate to end his scoring drought after coming under the spotlight over high-profile misses during the relegation battle last season.
He can’t be accused of ducking the pressure with the opportunities he has had, which have been majorly reduced by Rutter’s form, if he is having so many attempts on goal, but whether they are the right option for the team every time might be a different matter.
If he is to start at Rotherham it will be his best opportunity in some time to lift that pressure with the telling contribution that he is obviously desperate for.
Having come in for a lot of criticism, which has crossed the line at times, it can only be a good thing for him, the club, and the fans, if he is able to do so as it is tipped to lead to a significant impact over the rest of the campaign.
In other Leeds United news, a player has “no intention” of accepting a possible contract offer from the Whites according to Phil Hay.