The last time Patrick Bamford took a penalty for Leeds United, he failed to convert mere moments before Pascal Struijk deflected a Stoke City winner into his own net.
So fourteen months on, as Daniel Farke’s side looked to finally break Blackburn Rovers’ iron-clad resistance during a tense New Years’ Day encounter at Elland Road, even the most optimistic of Leeds United supporters could have been forgiven for suffering from deja vu as their number nine picked up the ball again.
Mateo Joseph had been sent sprawling in the Blackburn penalty area, gifting Leeds the chance to open the scoring with 88 minutes on the clock.
And Patrick Bamford, having entered the fray 18 minutes earlier, was the first to pick up the ball and place it under his arm.
Was this mere mind games? Was it an attempt to ease the pressure on the eventual penalty taker, and ensure that all eyes were on him rather than the aforementioned Pascal Struijk?
Whatever the reason, it worked. Bamford passing him the ball after a long wait, Struijk stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past a despairing Ainsley Pears in the Blackburn goal.
And, speaking to Leeds’ in-house media at full-time, Leeds’ spot-kick-taking centre-half was quick to praise his experienced teammate for the art of misdirection, as well as Bamford’s willingness to respect Farke’s pre-planned instructions.
Pascal Struijk pays Patrick Bamford tribute after Leeds United’s Blackburn draw
“We have a list of who takes the penalties so we know beforehand who is going to take it,” Struijk explains. “Thanks to Pat, he takes a lot of pressure off.
“You see it multiple times now. He takes the pressure off other people that come up to him.”
An assist of sorts, then, for a player who has missed 40 per cent of the penalties he has taken in his Leeds career.
Patrick Bamford’s future at Leeds is uncertain amid links with Genoa, Wrexham and Birmingham City. Farke is keen to keep the 31-year-old striker at Elland Road, however.
Because while he may not be the same goalscoring force of old – he is yet to find the net in 11 appearances this term – his maturity and his willingness to fight tooth and nail for the greater cause could yet be integral in another fiercely-contested promotion battle.
Struijk sees the positives as Leeds keep unbeaten Elland Road run going
Danny Batth’s equaliser, only two minutes after Struijk scored what looked to be the winner, ensured that Leeds would extend their lead at the top to three points rather than five as both Burnley and Sheffield United slipped up.
It was a performance far from their best. Farke felt Leeds’ sluggishness played straight into Blackburn’s hands, with Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell struggling to exert their usual influence.
Yet, a point, as Struijk stays, is still a point closer to promotion.
“It’s always disappointing, especially when we score so late in the game. Then, it feels like a loss honestly when you concede a goal so late,” adds Struijk, who started with the captain’s armband again with Ethan Ampadu rested.
“This is the [same] set up they did when we played them away [a 1-0 defeat at Ewood Park before Christmas]. It’s difficult to create when they have eleven behind the ball. They defended well, so it was hard to create chances.
“But then when that golden moment comes, we need to I think just put a little bit more value [on it] when we have the lead. It’s just unfortunate. One point is still one point in the right direction. Its unfortunately not two more but we’ve had a really, really good December.
“Nothing to be too worried about. We are still in the top position.”
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