Leeds United have had their plaudits this season and rightly so. Daniel Farke’s side have been fantastic at the back, and going forward – and rightfully deserve to sit at the top of the Championship table.
It has been a brilliant campaign. Leeds are already nailed on to win a play-off place even if the Whites fail to win another League game. The defence is working exceptionally well, the attack are scoring plenty.
Georginio Rutter has been the attacking heartbeat, with an enormous 18 assists and 25 goal involvements in total. Dan James is in the form of his life, and Cree Summerville is finally turning potential into quality.
Willy Gnonto has come in from the abyss to shine in recent matches, and has now got himself on the score sheet on a regular basis. Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu are working perfectly in tandem at the back.
Patrick Bamford is Leeds United’s unsung hero this season
Leeds are renowned for being the best in transition in the Championship, and that is according to Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna. The midfield are the reason for that – the likes of Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev.
But, there is one unsung hero in this Leeds side as we race towards automatic promotion – and that is Patrick Bamford. Last week, Gnonto says he goes under the radar for the amount of work he does up top.
Jon Newsome recently said the same, describing the one-time England star as “invaluable”. Bamford was warming the bench for the first half of the season – but came into the side just before the turn of the year.
He has seven goals in 11 games, an impressive tally. But it is not just his goals, it is his ability to create space for his teammates – constantly dictating more than one centre-back. His movement is that strong.
Why Bamford is so importanrt to our push for promotion
That ability to take two or more opponents out of the game affords more gaps to the likes of Rutter, James, Summerville and Gnonto to exploit – meaning they can create chances and score more goals.
Bamford’s work rate also goes underappreciated. His leisurely running style often looks like he is just jogging about, not really doing much – but actually, his long stride makes him quick. Swalloing distances.
What also makes Bamford our unsung hero of 2023-24, is that his form and entrance into the starting XI came at just the right time. Leeds were struggling, and £16m Joel Piroe’s form hads taken a down turn.
Bamford came in and starred for Leeds, instantly. So, Bamford is Leeds’ unsung hero of 23-24 – for his goals, his ability to create space, his work rate and the timing of his form, helping Leeds turn it around.
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