Leeds United clock runs out for Patrick Bamford with exit inevitable
Mark Smith is a lifelong Leeds United fan thanks to his dad, and was forced to grow up watching the -15 season and fallout from Premier League relegation in the early 2000s. He’s now putting his passion for the Whites into words with a regular fan view for MOT Leeds News…
Leeds United cruised to a 2-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday 9 December at Ewood Park, with that scintillating front four making the difference again.
Dan James opened the scoring with a driven strike and Crysencio Summerville made sure of the three points with a lovely chipped finish in the final moments.
There were some interesting snippets of team news beforehand though, with the absence of Patrick Bamford one that stuck out the most, as he fell to illness.
In what was a glimpse into the future again, Mateo Joseph was the one given the nod to come on in the dying moments by Daniel Farke.
Bamford has come off the bench 11 times in the Championship and has failed to score, and I will not get any criticism for saying he has done nothing in those games.
One thing I have noticed though, is his attitude has certainly changed from being a willing runner to someone who simply gets through 10 minutes and then rushes down the tunnel with a frown on his face.
On his £30,000-a-week wages [Football League Paper], Leeds would be expecting a striker who can start and fire over 20 goals a season in the Championship, but they are getting the exact opposite.
Joel Piroe has come in and started firing and Georginio Rutter is finally making his £30million-plus price tag look like a snip with the drop in quality, leaving Bamford in no man’s land.
Compare that to Joseph and he was everywhere in his little cameo against Blackburn, winning fouls and holding up the ball as he looks to impress those around him after a handful of injuries.
With January coming up, any kind of offer may be entertained for the England international, I probably won’t be the only fan who would welcome that with his time simply up.
The win over Blackburn was a massive glimpse into the future – bring it on.
In other Leeds United news, journalist Graham Smyth has speculated over an “unlikely” Daniel Farke call over the Christmas period.