Birmingham City boss Wayne Rooney singled out Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford’s performance after the result on Monday.
Bamford opened the scoring against Birmingham on Monday after an assist by Daniel James. James then doubled Leeds’ lead just before halftime. Crysencio Summerville then sealed the game early in the second half to secure all three points. The Whites maintain their unbeaten record at home this season while closing the gap on Southampton and Ipswich, who both dropped points on New Year’s Day.
Birmingham City boss Wayne Rooney had a lot of praise for Patrick Bamford for putting his side to the sword on Monday:
“First goal big difference to the game. Changed the system with three centre-backs. You cannot leave Patrick Bamford free in the six-yard box, he will punish you,” Rooney said, via Leeds Live.
Bamford rose above everyone and planted a header in the back of the net from a lovely Dan James cross for his first goal of the campaign. The expression on his face was there to see as he went to celebrate in front of the home crowd.
The Bamford conundrum
The English forward has been in a tough situation this season – Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe have been prolific in the attack.
Rutter has turned his season around after and underwhelming start to life at Elland Road. This season he’s been one of the best attackers in the Championship with four goals and nine assists.
Summer signing Joel Piroe has also been brilliant this season, scoring 9 goals and forming a dangerous strike partnership with Frenchman Georginio Rutter.
Bamford has thus had to settle for just 17 appearances in the league with his first start coming against Birmingham. With a hectic schedule like the in the Championship, and the striker slowly earning the trust of Daniel Farke, we might see more of Bamford in the second half of the campaign.
Should Patrick Bamford start more games?
There is a feeling that Joel Piroe has slowed down recently, with the striker scoring just one goal in his last seven. I feel in the coming games Daniel Farke might explore rotating Bamford and Piroe to keep the latter fresh as Leeds chase promotion.
