Leeds United: Patrick Bamford surely now days away from Elland Road exit after brutal Daniel Farke decision in 2-1 loss v Preston
Patrick Bamford could now be edging towards an anticipated Leeds United exit in January after a brutal Daniel Farke decision against Preston.
Leeds’ hopes of further narrowing the gap to second-placed Ipswich suffered a blow as they were beaten 2-1 by Preston at Deepdale on Tuesday 26 December.
After a cagey and tight first half, the game exploded into life when the Whites were reduced to 10 players after goalkeeper Illan Meslier was shown a straight red card for a needless shove in the face of Milutin Osmajic.
Winger Liam Millar struck a magnificent winning goal in the 89th minute after Pascal Struijk struck a crucial equaliser from the penalty spot after Allan Browne headed home the opener.
Ipswich could now get their revenge for last weekend’s 4-0 hammering at Elland Road and increase their lead over Leeds to 10 points with a win against Leicester later on this evening.
While the defeat for Leeds United will be marred by Meslier’s dreadful and self-destructing red card, one Farke decision on Bamford with the game still at 1-1 could well have damaging repercussions as January looms large.
After the withdrawal of Joel Piroe, the Whites were largely reliant on Georginio Rutter for inspiration after Meslier’s red card but no real focal point or striking presence to trouble the Preston backline.
Instead, Farke brought on an inexperienced and arguably unready Mateo Joseph when he had a proven Championship goalscorer ready and waiting on the bench.
The 30-year-old has been resigned to a bit-part and uneventful role all season yet to start a league game or score for the Whites this season, amounting to a measly 147 minutes on the pitch.
Such a position in Farke’s squad can only increase the noise surrounding a possible exit in January and Farke’s strange decision at Deepdale now surely all but provides Bamford with the answers he needs ahead of the winter window – that he does not have a role to play despite Farke lacking a clinical option other than Piroe.
The injuries and lack of fitness have put a huge dampener on Bamford’s abilities in front of goal and the characteristics needed to thrive in Farke’s high-intensity system, making him an expendable commodity.
Nonetheless, the Elland Road forward has struggled to find his best form again this past year after returning from a long injury layoff back in February 2022, and Leeds United fans will admit he’s looked a shadow of his former self for a long while.
Bamford certainly needs to discover himself again and that may no longer be possible in West Yorkshire.
In other Leeds news, ‘Stupid’ ace drops 1/10 stinker in player ratings after Whites beaten at Deepdale.