Marsch explains Patrick Bamford substitution during Leeds defeat

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Jesse Marsch has shared that Patrick Bamford came off during Leeds United’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Sunday as they are still managing his minutes – in comments on BBC Radio Leeds (5/2; 16:30).

Bamford endured a miserable time at the City Ground. With Rodrigo sidelined for the next couple of months, the Englishman has a big role to play over the rest of the season.

He has looked bright in his previous appearances. Bamford has scored a few goals already. And he looked incredibly sharp, particularly in the FA Cup.

Marsch explains Bamford substitution

Unfortunately, he was extremely rusty against Forest. A few of his first touches led to promising moments breaking down. And he fluffed his lines when he had a chance just inside the box during the first-half.

Bamford was taken off after the break, with Georginio Rutter replacing him up front.

It seemed to be an attempt to get things going again for Leeds without sacrificing the balance of the system. But it was seemingly also an acknowledgement that Bamford had had a poor day at the office.

However, Marsch has suggested that he would have preferred to leave Bamford on. The substitution was largely down to the 29-year-old’s previous fitness issues.

“I obviously wanted to leave Patrick Bamford on longer. But we’re trying to manage his minutes, so that we don’t risk him and further injury. He’s very important right now. So that one hurts,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

Of course, Marsch may be publicly claiming that to protect his player. Bamford made his return in mid-January. And he got 77 minutes under his belt last week – albeit against lower league opposition.

But it would not infuriate supporters if he acknowledged that Bamford had had a tough day. The striker himself will know that he was not at the level he needed to be. On another day, it could have easily been so different for Bamford and Leeds.

Having said that, Leeds cannot now afford to lose Bamford to injury. Rodrigo is out for a while. And Georginio Rutter still needs to find his feet in the Premier League.

Unfortunately, this is another situation where any optimism coming out of the January window has now largely evaporated.