BBC pundit Jon Newsome believes Daniel Farke is still yet to find his ideal number nine at Leeds United this season.
Newsome was speaking after Leeds‘ 0-0 draw at Bristol City in which Farke‘s side failed to score for the third time this season.
For the fourth match in succession, Joel Piroe was the man tasked with leading the line for Leeds, but just like in the last two, struggled to have any sort of impact on the game.
Piroe doesn’t really offer anything in terms of running in behind, while his link-up play is also very hit and miss. In matches like the one where Leeds are struggling to create chances, he often becomes a passenger.
Mateo Joseph replaced Piroe with around 20 minutes to play but was again guilty of missing a good chance when he headed over a Sam Byram cross.
- READ MORE: BBC pundit blasts ‘clueless’ Leeds United player for performance in 0-0 draw at Bristol City
Jon Newsome makes Patrick Bamford claim at Leeds
Based on the two options Farke has used the most this season, you could make arguments for and against both Piroe and Joseph.
Piroe is the more clinical of the two but really needs match conditions to be in his favour for chances to fall his way, which is why he has been so successful coming off the bench in matches Leeds are winning.
Joseph, meanwhile, is far more reliable with his link-up play, offers runs in behind and gets on the end of chances because of his movement, but has been guilty of wasting some big chances.
In Patrick Bamford, Farke does have a third striking option at his disposal, but to say he has been used sporadically this season would be an understatement.
Given his little spell of scoring goals between January and March last season, Bamford clearly has something to offer at this level.
Farke has insisted Bamford will play apart at some point but after another disappointing display of minutes, pundit Newsome told BBC Radio Leeds post-match he may start ‘banging’ on Farke’s door very soon.
He said: “I don’t know, I think at some point he will definitely be banging on the gaffer’s door asking, ‘when does he get his opportunity?'”
Bamford stats for Leeds in 2024/25
Bamford has had a couple of injury issues to deal with this season but has been fully fit for almost a month, without really being used.
His stats so far make for pretty grim reading and if Farke is reluctant to use him even when his other two strikers aren’t firing, then the question is when will he?
| Stat | Bamford |
| Appearances | 5 |
| Minutes | 47 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Touches | 29 |
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