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Sam Allardyce faces questioning ahead of Leeds United clash v West Ham amid Patrick Bamford 'adversity'
Leeds United manager Sam Allardyce looks set to be quizzed on Patrick Bamford’s morale and confidence in his press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash against West Ham, according to Leeds Live.
It’s been a rather difficult week for the Elland Road favourite after his penalty miss in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United led to several online abuse and unrest over his performances.
Ahead of a crucial game against the Hammers on Sunday with Allardyce aiming to steer them out of the relegation zone, there has been much clamour for Bamford to be dropped for the game in East London.
Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross [19 May] wrote that the former England manager Allardyce could be quizzed at his press conference on any potential decision regarding Bamford.
He wrote: “Patrick Bamford created all the wrong headlines last weekend with his decisive penalty miss, but was at the centre of fresh headlines for all the wrong reasons at the start of this week. United put out a statement condemning the vile abuse and threats which had been sent to Bamford and his family.
“Allardyce could be quizzed on the striker’s demeanour, morale and confidence after such adversity across the past seven days.”
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Firing line
The Elland Road fan favourite has struggled to find his best form again this past year after returning from a long injury layoff back in February 2022.
Since then he’s only managed a handful of goals with many arguing that he is past his best and incapable of dragging the club out of trouble.
In fact, there have been calls for Allardyce to go against the grain and start Rodrigo as his main man up top instead, and those calls certainly seem warranted given the severity of the Leeds United position right now.
The Whites desperately need someone reliable and consistent in front of goal and Bamford hasn’t provided that at Elland Road for a long while.
The England striker certainly looks a shadow of his best and the abuse he received will certainly affect his morale and confidence so it’s time Allardyce takes him out of the firing line for Sunday’s game against West Ham.
Whether he follows through with it is another matter entirely.
In other Leeds United news, the club could launch legal action against the Premier League amid widespread upset over their management of a tricky situation.