Former Leeds United player Paul Robinson has raised concerns over the team’s heavy reliance on the fitness of striker Patrick Bamford, who has been plagued by injuries causing him to miss important fixtures. Despite Bamford making a return to the bench for the recent victory over Cardiff City, he was once again left unused by manager Daniel Farke, leading to further doubts about his ability to stay fit consistently throughout the season.
Robinson pointed out the lack of alternative options in Leeds’ attacking lineup in the absence of Bamford. This puts added pressure on younger players like Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe to step up and deliver in critical moments. While Joseph has shown promise with his performances, the absence of Bamford leaves a void that needs to be filled for the team to sustain their promotion aspirations.
With Leeds aiming for a return to the Premier League, the experience and scoring prowess of Bamford could prove crucial. However, with the 31-year-old striker struggling with fitness issues, the team must find a way to cope without him on a consistent basis. As Bamford has only managed to play 22 minutes in the Championship so far, missing matches against Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City, and Burnley, the team faces a challenge in maintaining their attacking threat without him on the pitch.
The spotlight is now on young talents like Mateo Joseph, who has been in fine form since gaining more playing time under Farke. However, the pressure on the 20-year-old Spaniard to maintain his performance levels over the course of a grueling season is immense. Leeds must find a way to overcome Bamford’s injury concerns and ensure they have the depth and quality in their squad to push for promotion to the top-flight.
