Darren Bent and Laura Woods hit back at England discussion over Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford
Darren Bent has hit out at the “disrespectful” comments over Patrick Bamford after the Leeds United striker’s England debut on Sunday.
Bamford, 28, started for the Three Lions at Wembley as they swept aside Andorra 4-0.
However, the Whites centre-forward has come under scrutiny in recent days after not scoring or making a significant impact, with suggestions in some quarters that Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood was unfairly denied a call-up at the expense of Bamford.
Speaking on talkSPORT [07/09/21], Laura Woods and ex-Premier League striker Bent leapt to his defence after an online stir.
Woods said: “My argument is I think he’s already proved a lot of people wrong, Darren.
“When he came up to the Premier League lots of people were saying the first thing Leeds have to do is get themselves a better striker that can score Premier League goals. He went and scored 17 goals for Leeds last season.
“I think he’s on his way to becoming an even better player as well, the more he develops under Marcelo Bielsa.”
Bent replied: “For me, I felt quite hurt for Patrick Bamford in terms of it was a little disrespectful because at the same time he has earned the right, he was the second-highest Englishman [in the Premier League] last season. His goal involvement was right up there.
“I don’t want to see that type of scenario where all of a sudden people are questioning Bamford’s involvement in the squad, simply because Mason Greenwood is not there. He’s had to shut a few people up.”
England obsession
It seems that England supporters can never be truly happy, irrespective of the nation’s success.
The last two major tournaments have seen England finish fourth and second, at the World Cup and European Championship respectively.
Yet, despite Gareth Southgate achieving that with an exciting group of young players, there are still doubts that persist over his squad selection.
There were eyebrows raised that Bamford never received a call-up last season, but now, after just one game, there are suggestions that his time is up.
That’s probably, in part, due to Greenwood’s popularity, mainly with Manchester United fans.
As one of the biggest clubs in the world, their fans are also likely to make more noise and rally against those players they deem to be in front of their own.
Hopefully, Southgate sees past all the nonsense and persists with Bamford and gives him a chance in a more settled side that won’t be playing an opponent camped inside their own penalty box.
In other Leeds United news, Ally McCoist was blown away by this Whites player on Saturday after a major event.