His performance really couldn’t have come at a worse time could it?
Not that him scoring was necessarily a bad thing, but it does just give a little bit of pause for thought when it comes to attacking the January transfer window. Patrick Bamford scored once, and put enough pressure on defender Matt Pearson to force him into an own goal, as Leeds defeated Luton Town 2-1 on Saturday.
Having gone through an incredibly baron run, Bamford has now got two goals in two games, having netting against Blackburn Rovers ahead of the international break. Indeed it looks as if Bamford profited well from his own advice ahead of said break, resting up and then turning it into three points.
If he manages to keep this little run of form going much longer, then it’s going to give boss Marcelo Bielsa a bit of a headache when it comes to the transfer market. According to reports coming out over the weekend (The Mirror, 22/11/2019, page 74) suggesting that Leeds would be interested in signing Burnley forward Matej Vydra.
If Bamford were to be struggling, much as he was during his ten-game goal drought, then it would make sense for Bielsa to bring in someone like Vydra, who has a fantastic record in this division to replace him and shunt Bamford back to a backup or rotation role. The problem with Bamford and Vydra is that they are both capable of being starters in this division, so neither of them would be happy sitting on the bench. It’s not like the situation with Eddie Nketiah where you’re developing a player so you don’t feel the need to start him every game.
Now with this little bit of a spurt, especially if he can carry it on against a struggling Reading side tomorrow night, then it might just be enough to change the club’s thoughts on what kind of forward they should bring in during the window, if at all.
Who would you rather have up front for Leeds?
Bamford
Vydra
Do they bring in someone to compete with Bamford, possibly forcing him onto the bench? Or do they let him hold on to the starting role and just give him someone to give him a break every now and then?