Jermaine Beckford says Daniel Farke has ‘frozen out’ a Leeds United player who is actually ‘brilliant’

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Daniel Farke has always preferred a smaller squad. In one of a few traits he shares with Marcelo Bielsa, the German feels it is better for Leeds United’s squad harmony to have less players.

Obviously, this brings with it some complications. Injuries mean players often have to become versatile and even now, captain Ethan Ampadu is playing as a centre-back and Sam Byram often plays on the left.

Willy Gnonto has been used as a no.10 in recent weeks while Joel Piroe often drops into the 10 role later on in games given the lack of natural cover for Brenden Aaronson in attacking midfield, behind the no.9.

But Farke and Bielsa always believed in squad harmony, preferring to have a squad of versatility instead of a big group of one-trick ponies. It means there is less chance of players kicking up a fuss over game time.

• READ MORE: Josuha Guilavogui admits Leeds United ‘storm’ in message to Elland Road fans

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	41	24	13	4	80	28	52	85
2	BurnleyBurnley	41	23	16	2	55	12	43	85
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	41	26	7	8	56	31	25	83
4	SunderlandSunderland	41	21	13	7	57	37	20	76

Jermaine Beckford sympathy for Leeds striker Patrick Bamford

One-time England ace Patrick Bamford has managed just 12 Championship appearances, all from as a sub. One start in his 13 games in all competitions, coming against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup.

Injury on New Year’s Day saw him miss three months of action, albeit Bamford has now been back in training for a month. There is a sense that Farke has kept him back, perhaps avoiding risk of injury.

Now, Bamford is back. An impressive cameo at Luton came first, before starring off the bench against old side Boro in which Bamford won more duels than any of his teammates, despite playing 20 minutes.

Speaking on LUTV’s Extra time, Beckford said he had sympathy for Bamford after a “torrid” season and then Bamford having a goal wrongfully disallowed: “I feel for Pat. He’s had a really torrid season.

“Injuries, left out, frozen out. Not quite a fully-fledged part of the squad. So when he gets his chance like today, he gives it his all. He and Gnonto came on to combine for a brilliant team, counter attacking goal.

“When you watch it back, the movement was pinpoint the pass was perfectly-timed, the run was perfect. But it was ruled out for offside. Such a disappointment that the linesman let us down again,” he said.

Could Patrick Bamford start for Leeds United against Preston?

The key to a promotion run-in is to play players with momentum. Dan James had momentum but now it seems the Wales ace has picked up a hamstring injury, with Farke saying James’ injury doesn’t look good.

Willy Gnonto has some momentum and he will surely replace James, but Farke has a decision to make up top. Joel Piroe had a hand in 21 goals in Leeds’ first 34 games, but nothing in the next seven matches.

Farke says Bamford’s cameo roles won’t put pressure on Piroe, while Jon Newsome doesn’t think Bamford is far away from a start. With five games to go, there is no time for patience – Bamford deserves a start.