Simon Grayson reveals which player he wants to return for Leeds United v Norwich City
Simon Grayson hopes Patrick Bamford will be fit enough to start when Leeds United take on Norwich City in the playoff semi-finals.
Bamford was left out of the squad entirely for Leeds’ final game of the regular season – a 2-1 home defeat against Southampton – after failing to recover in time from a knee injury.
Former Whites boss Grayson is hopeful that the striker will have recovered in time to feature when Leeds take on the Canaries at Carrow Road on 12 May.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, he said: “You talk about Patrick. Sometimes players are more appreciated when they are not actually in the team than when they are. What I am saying is people don’t see sometimes what Patrick can do to the team.
“They will see missed opportunities and things like that, but they don’t see the runs that he makes in the channel, the hold-up play or the closing down.
“So, again, I hope we get him back, get Dan James back because Dan is a positive outlet on the wing with good pace and positivity.”
Patrick Bamford is a divisive figure – but he does improve Leeds United
Many Leeds fans find Bamford a frustrating figure.
The chances he does not convert seem to stand out more than the ones he does finish off and he is seen as wasteful.
There is evidence to support that argument – he has eight goals in the Championship this term but has generated an xG of 9.52 [FotMob].
However, it must be noted that his tally of eight strikes was achieved in 1,483 league minutes – which works out to a very respectable goal every 185.4 minutes.
Additionally, no Leeds player can better his records – per 90 in the Championship this season – of 0.58 xG and 1.5 shots on target. He invariably gets himself into good positions with his clever movement – a valuable trait.
His value to the team is not limited to his ability in front of goal, however – and he arguably does his best work off the ball.
Even his harshest critics would not deny that Bamford is a relentless presser and a hard worker – an underrated attribute that contributes meaningfully to the success of the team as a whole.
If he is fit to feature against Norwich, he will hope to prove his worth as Leeds pursue Premier League promotion.
In other Leeds news, Richard Keys and Andy Gray have reacted after the club missed out on promotion following defeat to Southampton.
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