Simon Rix makes Patrick Bamford ‘problem’ admission at Leeds United
Leeds United “are better” when Patrick Bamford plays and have a “problem” when he is out of the side, according to Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix.
The Whites’ hopes of a top-two finish were dramatically dented in their last outing – a 4-0 loss at QPR in which Bamford was ruled out through injury.
The striker’s involvement across the campaign has been limited due to fitness issues and Rix feels the Whites suffer in his absence.
Speaking on the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet: Leeds United podcast, the 46-year-old said: “This year, it kind of feels like if Bamford doesn’t play, there’s a problem.”
“The facts are, Leeds are better with Bamford in the side.”
The impact of Patrick Bamford at Leeds United
Bamford has netted eight Championship goals this term in 1,483 minutes – which works out to a very respectable strike rate of one every 185.4 minutes, or just over a goal every other game.
However, it is not just goals that the 30-year-old offers – his defensive work and link play are arguably his greatest strengths and it is those qualities that are most difficult to replace in his absence.
This season, Bamford has averaged 1.02 tackles and attempted 12.42 short passes per 90 in the Championship – above-average numbers for a centre-forward.
With no central attacker possessing the same skill set as the Englishman, Leeds can look inhibited when he does not play.
And injury has limited Bamford’s involvement more than anyone at the club would have liked this term – 1,483 minutes of a possible 4,050 is an indication of just how much he has been missing.
The Whites look likely to end up outside the automatic promotion places after their late-season blip – unless Ipswich Town slip up dramatically themselves – if they are to earn promotion via the playoffs, they will need Bamford fit and firing on all cylinders.
In other Leeds United news, Real Betis want to sign Marc Roca on a “cheap” deal.
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