Scott Parker: Bamford is phenomenal and is showing his quality this season
Scott Parker has pinpointed Patrick Bamford as a key threat for Leeds United as Fulham host the Whites on Friday.
Bamford has scored 13 goals this season and is expected to be fit to play at Craven Cottage [Yorkshire Evening Post].
The striker is without a goal in six and narrowly missed out on an England call-up, but Parker is a big fan of his qualities nonetheless.
As quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said, “He has a tireless work-rate and what he’s asked to do out of possession at Leeds is phenomenal really. The work he puts in is pretty incredible.
“Added to that is his goal record and him scoring goals which has been very good this year.
“It’s been a step up for him, I know he’s scored goals in the Championship for some time for different clubs but he’s now showing his quality in the big league.
“It’s a big challenge for us and the defenders to try and keep him quiet.”
Key threat
Bamford has suffered a dip in form of late and missing out on an England call-up this week could be significant.
He should want to prove Gareth Southgate wrong and scoring against Fulham would be the ideal way to do that.
Parker is right to focus on his tireless work rate and we missed Bamford when he went off in the first-half against Chelsea last week, so his availability is a relief.
If he can rekindle his partnership with Raphinha and work well with Tyler Roberts once again then we should get back to winning ways.
Fulham are an organised side but they struggle in attack, with two goals in their last five games.
If Bamford can find the breakthrough we should have enough to see out the three points.
A two-week break after that should allow Bamford and his teammates to rest and recoup – we might see the best of the striker after that.
In other Leeds United news, Mark Lawrenson has predicted the outcome of the Fulham clash.