Bamford must step up on Sunday
Just like that, the summer break is over and the 19/20 season is set to go.
Leeds get their Championship campaign off to (hopefully) a flyer at Ashton Gate on Sunday, looking to repeat the double over Bristol City (1-0 and 2-0) from last season.
Previous meetings go with Leeds and Bristol City haven’t beaten us since September 2016 and before that you have to go back to 1997. Leeds have won 11 of the last 14 and really need to start the season with three points to get momentum going.
One player is going to have a larger weight on his shoulders than others. Patrick Bamford will be tasked with leading the line with Kemar Roofe out injured for four weeks.
Bamford’s last goal for Leeds was back in April against Wigan and he’s been on a pretty bad run of form since then. He didn’t score in any of the pre-season friendlies but did show plenty of promise in the game against Western Sydney Wanderers, with seven shots (four on target) and an xG of 1.66. [www.wyscout.com].
However, not converting chances was the story of last season and Bamford needs to find his scoring boots and fast.
Helder Costa provides another goal threat for Leeds this season but Bamford needs to put his immediate past behind him (hard while some fans are intent on booing him) and prove that he can lead the line for Leeds.
He has the talent – an overall career xG of 0.43 per 90 minutes proves it – now he needs the luck to go his way and to make the most of Roofe’s absence. It’s important. If Bamford starts firing, Leeds will do well this season.