Ian Wright urges one Leeds player to ‘Step up’ after 3-0 loss v Spurs
Ian Wright has urged Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford to attack the goal with more “drive and determination” after a frustrating showing against Tottenham on Saturday.
Bamford, 27, couldn’t add to his tally of 10 Premier League goals for Leeds as the Yorkshire club lost 3-0 in North London to Jose Mourinho’s side.
It’s not as though Bamford didn’t have chances to score though with stats by Wyscout showing the Leeds forward had seven shots at goal against Spurs and hit the target three times. It was Bamford’s highest shot count since the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in October when he scored a hat-trick.
Ex-Arsenal striker Wright claims Bamford needs to show more conviction when running at the near post rather than hoping a team-mate can create something for him.
“When you look at Patrick Bamford, who’s having a great season, this is the kind of thing he’s got to step up more,” Wright said on BBC’s Match of the Day on Saturday night.
“This is somebody that wants to make the near post but he’s hoping that something happens for him in that instance. He’s got to go there with a lot more drive and determination.”
Bamford not to blame for loss
We know that Wright isn’t suggesting Bamford’s failure to score against Spurs was the reason behind Leeds losing 3-0 but the striker could have been more clinical in front of goal.
Leeds lost that game simply because Tottenham were the better team and when you have Son Heung-min and Harry Kane in the form they’re in, there are not many clubs in the league who can stop them.
Leeds have a defensive injury crisis to contend with as well with Pascal Struijk and Luke Ayling filling in as centre-backs while Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente recover from their injuries.
Up next for the Whites is a good chance for them to bounce back from defeat by progressing in the FA Cup.
Marcelo Bielsa and his men visit Crawley in the third round on Sunday. Not only will that be a good chance to rest certain key players but it will also hand the squad an opportunity to reset their form before a Premier League clash with Brighton.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has clarified a transfer claim made by a Sky Sports pundit.