Patrick Bamford written off but Leeds United's failure sparks Farke reminder as key point made
While some may have written off Patrick Bamford’s necessity in Leeds United’s promotion bid, Daniel Farke certainly hasn’t.
The Whites boss has underlined how much value he places in the striker, who failed to start a Championship game this season before his hamstring setback. Bamford has not played in five weeks due to his injury.
During that time, Leeds have only had two fit centre-forwards and a dip in form for both Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph led to fans calling on United to bring in another striker. Farke circled the position as a potential area for reinforcement in January.
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His justifiably strict transfer policy meant no new number nine was acquired, and Bamford has yet to return to team training. There is hope that it will not be long before he can take part in group sessions but the manager admits even then, Bamford will take time to get up to full speed.
The 31-year-old still has more than a year left on his contract but it is unclear where his future lies beyond the summer. Either way, before then, he can still play a role in United’s promotion charge if Farke’s comments are anything to go by.
“You know how highly I rate Patrick,” Farke has said on several occasions, also pointing to the fact that when Bamford is back, Leeds will have three fully fit strikers again. It’s easy to forget Bamford has scored 69 goals in 210 Championship matches, almost a goal every three games.
The problem is, just eight have come in his last 43 matches at this level. And furthermore, he has picked up at least one significant injury in each of the past four campaigns. So it’s also easy to see why fans are frustrated.
But needless to say, no player wants to be ruled out. If it’s annoying for spectators then it is 10-times more disheartening for the player himself. Perhaps that is why Farke has been eager to underline his faith in Bamford, despite not starting him in the league since last April.
Bamford was ruled out for the final two Championship games before missing the entirety of the play-offs due to a knee injury. Farke named his and Pascal Sturijk’s absence as part of the reason why Leeds failed to go up.
Speaking on Thursday at Thorp Arch, Farke said: “You need a bit of luck in the final stages in that players are not injured. Patrick Bamford was not available last year, having him at the end of the season would have been different and same for Pascal Struijk.
“To have both unavailable was costly. We hope for better luck this season and that key players are fit and on fire.”
Farke clearly still values Bamford highly and so he might yet have a role to play in United’s promotion charge. With Piroe picking up form again and Joseph regaining confidence, Bamford might not climb the pecking order.
It might be that he is a bit-part player, but that does not mean his usages will necessarily lack impact. His experience at this level is invaluable while his dressing room advice will be key for younger teammates.
Granted, the striker must show more than what he has done so far and it’s solely up to him to prove his critics wrongs, of which Farke is certainly not one. That is key for him.
Not many Championship clubs can boast about having an attacker who has an average of close to a goal every four Premier League games as their third-choice attack option. Bamford should have enough motivation knowing he is playing for his future.
His first task is to get back onto the pitch. The second, to stay on it. The third is to remind everyone of what he is capable of in the minutes he is given.
Farke’s praise suggests he might yet hand Bamford a lifeline to save his Leeds career. Only by doing something impactful in this promotion race will he turn the tide.
