With another lull and boring international break now behind us as Leeds United get back to October’s Championship action with our Elland Road clash against Birmingham City this coming Saturday, during the break, striker Patrick Bamford was back in front of the press talking about his form in front of goal and how he feels he’s a bigger critic of himself than even the most vociferous fan on social media.
After a mixed first year at the club following his arrival for £7million from Middlesbrough, injury obviously got in the way of his form but he did still find the net ten times in 25 matches. So far this year, he’s hit four goals in 12 but invariably the split in the fanbase comes from the easier chances he spurns when most believe it was harder to miss.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Bamford admitted that although he gets told about the criticism on social media, he doesn’t pay attention to that, instead choosing to focus on the fans and how they back him during matches.
“It’s weird because as a striker myself I am never happy unless I have scored. I know in myself there has been a couple of games this year where I have not been up to par but in the majority I have been reasonably happy with how I played and I still come away and think yeah you did all right but you have not scored. I think if you look at it I am probably more critical than even the fans, so I look at it and I have got four but easily I should probably have 10 goals.”
Addressing fan praise and online criticism, he went on to add.
“The fans who have come to watch the games have been brilliant and they have always sung my name. It was a hard one last year; signing for a big amount of money and then getting injured and not playing and then there was the disappointment of not getting promoted. I feel like they did not get the best of me. This year it is my aim to show them and once you get Leeds fans on your side, it can only be good news. They are loyal and great fans who make a fantastic atmosphere and they will back you to the hilt; win, lose or draw, as long as we are putting 100 per cent effort in. I am sure I will get the goals we need. It’s one of them where I will keep working on it after training and stuff and it will come.”
Clearly confidence isn’t a problem for the former Chelsea youngster and he continues to say the right things in interviews, so we just have to hope that translates to an improved clinical edge in front of goal as then we all win, don’t we.
Previous Article:
Report Claims Leeds Join The Race For League One Talent & We Plan To Have Him Watched