Graham Smyth explains Patrick Bamford’s Leeds United return so soon after Marcelo Bielsa exit
Marcelo Bielsa was “managing expectations” over the return of Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth.
The forward’s extended injury absence was a key factor in the club’s declining fortunes under the previous manager, and the Argentine’s last updates on his expected return were not overly positive.
But the 28-year-old was suddenly “heavily involved in training” yesterday according to BBC man Adam Pope, who posted video on his personal Twitter account.
But Smyth says there is “no conspiracy” behind the apparently major acceleration of Bamford’s recovery now that the popular former manager is out the door.
He wrote in the YEP last night (Thursday 3 March): “The apparent discrepancy between the Argentine’s final public utterance on his first-choice number nine and the information coming out of Thorp Arch today is relatively simple to explain – Bielsa was managing expectation.
“Bielsa never seemed particularly comfortable or content divulging much in the way of detail on such matters and could be vague in his responses.
“It’s likely he was also attempting to put a stopper in the way of mounting pressure on Bamford to come back and save the team.”
Honourable to the last
The positive news from new boss Jesse Marsch’s first press conference that the former Middlesbrough striker may after all be in line for involvement against Aston Villa is tinged with sadness.
It would surely have been tempting for Bielsa to talk up the prospects of such a development, to drop some positivity into a sea of bad news.
But the 66-year-old protected his now-former player from increased pressure and expectations, instead taking the responsibility on himself.
He may have known that his removal was becoming more likely, so a small move to protect the team’s interests shows why fans have shown such emotion now he’s gone.
Henry Winter yesterday reported on Twitter that the number of thankful messages on the Supporters’ Trust website had passed 9,000, and there may be a few more after the latest news.
In other Leeds United news, one behind the scenes promotion could have major positive effects for squad youngsters.