Daniel Farke opens up on Patrick Bamford in Leeds United dressing room admission
Daniel Farke is adamant that Patrick Bamford is a “brilliant” character in the Leeds United dressing room despite his struggle for minutes on the pitch.
Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe have become Farke’s preferred attacking duo down the middle, forcing the 30-year-old to the bench for the majority of this season and being deployed as a substitute in most games.
Phil Hay has revealed that Farke is extremely happy with Bamford’s attitude, even despite an expected growing frustration between the two due to a lack of game time for the 170-game Leeds man.
“But his attitude and behaviour in the dressing room and on the training pitch is brilliant,” Farke said, transcribed by Phil Hay for The Athletic on Tuesday (2 January). “He’s so supportive.”
Experience to call on
Bamford proved against Birmingham City that he is not yet ready to turn in the towel at Elland Road, opening the scoring with a superb header following a pin-point cross from Dan James.
The striker registered three shots on target so he could have finished the match with more than a single goal, but was so much more for Leeds than just a goalscorer.
Bamford completed 100 per cent of his tackles and won 100 per cent of his aerial duels, also causing chaos for Wayne Rooney’s defenders by entering six ground duels. [FotMob]
Despite making 17 Championship appearances this season, only one has been from the start. The forward started 18 matches under Jesse Marsch and Sam Allardyce in a disappointing Premier League season but has since been outcasted by Farke and is unlikely to replace Rutter or Piroe on many more occasions.
Still, Bamford is still an experienced mind in Leeds’ squad, which will be vital if the Whites are to gain promotion back to the Premier League this season. There are several difficult matches to come, especially as Leicester City continue to dominate and the door to second place becomes ever-wider.
He is a true professional and obviously loves the club he joined in 2018, scoring 52 goals in 170 appearances and playing a key role in Leeds’ promotion from the Championship in 2019/20 for the first time in 16 years.
In other Leeds United news, a pundit has shared Wayne Rooney’s furious reaction to Daniel James’ goal against Birmingham.