Darren Bent has suggested that he really feels for Patrick Bamford, and admitted that he never expected the striker to score the penalty he took in Leeds United’s draw with Newcastle on Saturday.
Bent was speaking on Ben Foster’s YouTube channel following the dramatic draw at Elland Road. Of course, many Leeds fans feel that the scoreline could have been better.
Luke Ayling gave Leeds the lead early on. And the Whites won a penalty after Joelinton’s clumsy challenge on Junior Firpo.
Bent feels sorry for Patrick Bamford after penalty miss
Neither Patrick Bamford or Rodrigo had scored their most recent penalty. However, the latter is the one who has been in greater form throughout the campaign. And Rodrigo has scored a pressure penalty in the Premier League, equalising in stoppage-time against Wolves last season.
But it was Bamford who took the ball. Unfortunately, his effort was a poor one. Nick Pope guessed the right way. And with that, he was able to make a relatively simple stop, with the ball hit at a good pace and a good height.
To many, it was no surprise that Bamford’s effort was saved. And it was just as unsurprising when Newcastle equalised shortly after.
Those moments really sum up Bamford’s season. And Darren Bent thinks he is going to face some serious criticism if Leeds cannot keep themselves up.
“I could’ve told you he was going to miss from even before he took it. He just looked nervous in his face,” he told Ben Foster’s YouTube channel. “The Leeds fans are on him. And as players, you understand that.
“You can feel the tension in the stadium, so I do feel for Patrick Bamford because if Leeds go down, you know for a fact that he’s going to get a lot of the blame. He got a lot of the blame when they didn’t go up the first time with Bielsa. I feel for him, I really do.”
What must be said is that a lot of abuse Bamford has received has been completely out or order. This is someone who was absolutely devastated when he came off against Wolves last season. He was broken that he could not help the team.
And he is someone who has scored some massive goals in Leeds’ recent history following his £10 million move.
But that also does not mean that he cannot be criticised. Ultimately, those misses against Leicester and Newcastle could be massive in Leeds’ season. He also missed that penalty against Arsenal when the title challengers were almost on the ropes.
He had the courage to step up and take the penalty. And it did not appear that he was wrestling with anyone to get a hold of the ball.
But when you look at Bamford’s effort alongside Callum Wilson’s two penalties, there is no comparison. And that miss could really come back to haunt Leeds.