Patrick Bamford has admitted to Sky Sports that he was frustrated when subbed during Sunday’s loss to Manchester United but spoke of how a “fantastic” bit of man management from Leeds boss Michael Skubala diffused the situation.
Bamford, 29, continued his return from a desperate spell on the sidelines with injury – starting his third game in a row for Leeds. But on 57 minutes, the one-time England striker was substituted. The scoreline was still 0-0 at Elland Road.
Skubala watched his side go on to lose 2-0 to our bitter rivals. Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho scoring the goals. Luke Ayling, who has signed a contract extension, was reportedly perplexed by the decision to take him off.
Georgie Rutter came on and had little impact in the final third. £10m Bamford was visibly annoyed when he came off and admitted when talking to Sky Sports that he was frustrated. But he was full of praise for Leeds’ caretaker manager.
He applauded Skubala’s man management, after a chat on the situation: “My face gave it away [I was frustrated]. I wanted to play. I felt like I wasn’t tired yet. I knew there would come a point where he would have to take me off.
“I spoke to him after. He said, ‘I would have taken you off later, I probably took you off too soon’. But he told me there is confidence and trust in me. He just diffused it, it was brilliant man management. I thought that was fantastic.”
Bamford frustrated but fantastic Leeds boss Skubala diffused situation
It would have been easy for the Leeds players not to trust Skubala. He has come in in a difficult position but his CV is hardly one that has massive experience. Still only 40, he only joined Leeds after managing England’s futsal team.
But, Skubala is clearly impressive when it comes to man management and Bamford is impressed. He is gaining the trust of the Leeds players – even in admitting he might have taken Bamford off early. A big tick in Skubala’s note book, then.
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