Some Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after Andrew Hughes praised Patrick Bamford for his work off the ball against Huddersfield Town during Saturday’s 2-0 win.
Hughes was on commentary duty for LUTV during the weekend’s West Yorkshire Derby, which saw Bamford double our lead in the 51st-minute to record his 13th goal of the Championship campaign.
No United player has scored more often in the second-tier this season than the Grantham-born striker we signed from Middlesbrough in 2018 for £10million, and Hughes is insistent that Bamford is a “top, top player” who offers boss Marcelo Bielsa more than just someone to put the ball over the line.
“Watch his movement,” Hughes said, via quotes by LUFC Data. “With our Sheffield United U23s, I’ve spoken to my number 9 about Patrick Bamford.
“For all the stick he gets, his centre-forward play, his movement and bravery is outstanding. He’s a top, top player. He’s a pleasure to watch.”
Has Bamford proven himself to be value for money?
Yes, he was worth £10m
No, he has not been worth it
Hughes was appointed as the Blades’ Under 23s lead coach last summer following a spell in Huddersfield Town’s first-team coaching set-up, and enjoyed a playing career that featured stints with Leeds, Norwich and Charlton Athletic.
He has a wealth of knowledge to call on to build his assessment of what Bamford has to offer Bielsa, and was in the stands for the right game as Saturday’s win over the Terriers saw the 26-year-old end what had been a seven-game drought.
Bamford also completed 21 of his 38 passes (75%) at home to our West Yorkshire rivals, took 49 touches and directed two of his three shots on target with the other blocked, per WhoScored data.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Hughes’ praise for Bamford…
I feel for Patrick he has pace and some good feet and has worked hard every week even though he fights back every week to score pleased for him to get the goal but like I’ve always maintained he cant do the work of holding up and helping to defend in midfield and expect to score
— Nigel Rosendale 💙💛 (@nr100ap) March 11, 2020
I would prefer it if he would sacrifice some of the team work for banging in more goals.
— David (@BilliardsCue) March 11, 2020
All true. Sadly the unintelligent can’t fathom this out can they.
— (((Mark Hoff Hansard))) 💙💛 (@drasnah) March 10, 2020
Top man
— Sorely (@Samtonked76) March 10, 2020
Never in doubt! Just a shame he can’t finish
— Jack Hayes (@Hazy42) March 10, 2020
A difficult thing to do in the social media world of extremes but we should try to accept that there is a rough &a smooth with Bamford. Yes he does great things but he also misses good chances. So there’s going to be praise and critism and both are actually correct. Which is odd.
— Darragh Cunningham (@DarraghC81) March 10, 2020
Thought Hughes’ commentary was quality
— James Pearson (@JamesPearson25) March 10, 2020
What I like most about Bamford is how he helps us get out of the corners. Teams almost always turn possession over when pressed high near the touchline in their own half, Bamford seems to always be challenging for it whenever we need to smash it out.
— Arron Richmond (@ArronRichmond) March 10, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club are considering a move to sign a midfielder who completes 52% of his long passes.