‘Good performance’: Daniel Farke very impressed by 29-year-old’s display for Leeds vs Forest

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Daniel Farke is expecting Patrick Bamford to play a big role for Leeds United this season.

Farke was speaking to members of the press including Leeds Live following the Whites 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Thursday, where he spoke highly of Bamford’s performance.

Bamford netted Leeds’ first goal of pre-season in the victory at the Pirelli Stadium, latching onto a poor back pass from Joe Worrall before calmly finishing past George Shelvey.

The 29-year-old had started on the bench in each of Leeds‘ opening two pre-season friendlies and perhaps understandably, was lacking a bit of sharpness in his appearances off the bench.

He undoubtedly made a difference against Forest, though, with some neat pieces of interplay, particularly in the first half, helping Leeds look more fluent in attack.

Farke praises Bamford after performance against Forest

In his post-match interview, Farke spoke of his confidence in Bamford to score goals this season but knows that is reliant on him staying fit.

He said: “Yeah, really ice cold finish today. Also experience on this level he doesn’t have to prove, so last time we as a club played on this level he was there with many, many goals and secured promotion so he doesn’t have to prove that he’s an outstanding striker with a cap for England, so not the easiest nation to play for so we don’t have to speak about his experience, about quality, but also after difficult season or seasons, the injury, each and every goal is important.

“I think he was there with a good performance today and the most important topic for Patrick is that he stays fit, that he stays in this movement, if he’s fit and also full of confidence I’m pretty sure he’s capable to score several goals for us.”

Farke is right in that there is certainly a role for Bamford to play this season but that should not disregard the fact of Leeds needing a new top quality striker this summer.

Bamford’s minutes need to be managed carefully and by signing another number nine, it can help ease the pressure on his shoulders to score goals.

That said, his performance against Forest certainly showed some signs of promise and hopefully the way he took his goal will give him confidence heading into the new season.