Marcelo Bielsa ‘refused to compromise’ on Patrick Bamford, Leeds United ‘paid the price’
Patrick Bamford’s extensive injury troubles at Leeds United this season are partly the fault of Marcelo Bielsa, argues The Mirror’s David Anderson.
The English striker has suffered an awful time since picking up an ankle problem in September, with his goal-scoring comeback in December seeing him damage his hamstring, before quad and plantar injuries in training.
He is set to feature off the bench for Jesse Marsch against Aston Villa tonight (Thursday 10 March), and, while acknowledging that the Argentine is also responsible for making the forward the player he is, Anderson argues that it was Bielsa who is to blame for the repeated delays.
He writes in The Mirror: “[Bamford’s] rehabilitation was further hampered by Bielsa’s intense physical demands.
“He was adamant that no player could return to the first team until they proved their fitness on the training ground, including in the the ultimate trial-by-ordeal, murderball.
“This proved too much for Bamford and he broke down twice more when he was on the verge of returning.
“Bamford would clearly have benefited from a more gentle approach… but Bielsa refused to compromise his beliefs and Bamford and Leeds paid the price.”
Own worst enemy
It seems harsh to criticise the popular former manager for what happened with the ex-Middlesbrough player, as it was he who transformed him from Championship player to a full international.
But as with so many things in the final months of his reign he was the architect of his own downfall.
They were the methods that brought Leeds back to the top and he wasn’t going to change them for anybody, and in many ways who can blame him.
It was always a high-risk, high-reward strategy to push his players in the way he did, and to set up the way he did tactically.
When it worked it brought the Championship title and a place back in the top half of the Premier League.
When it didn’t they were routinely thrashed, players were out of action, and he was ultimately sacked.
The luck changed, and it may have been that a gentle rehab would have just seen Bamford pick up those later injuries during a game.
Now that the new boss is easing the 28-year-old back, there are tentative hopes that he can make the difference in the relegation battle.
But after the season he’s had everyone around the club will be walking on eggshells in fear of another set back.
In other Leeds United news, based on his cryptic answer it seems Marsch knows he could lose two of his main stars.