Patrick Bamford says player Leeds wanted to sign in January made the worst tackle he’s ever seen recently

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Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford says Sheffield United defender Mason Holgate made the worst tackle he’s ever seen last month.

Holgate was making just his third appearance for the Blades after joining on loan from Everton in January, before then being given his marching orders after only 13 minutes in a 5-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 27-year-old had been at Leeds’ promotion rivals Southampton during the first half of the campaign but barely played and so made the move elsewhere during the transfer window.

Leeds were also on the lookout for a centre-back themselves and were linked with Holgate, but opted not to bring another in and so he went to Sheffield United.

Speaking on the latest episode of the My Mate’s a Footballer Podcast, though, Leeds striker Bamford says Holgate’s challenge on Kaoru Mitoma was the worst he has ever seen.

Bamford slates Holgate for Mitoma tackle

He said: “Did you see, talking about how players react, some players were making out that Mitoma made a deal of that tackle? Joe, honestly, it’s the worst tackle I think I’ve ever seen, like it was horrific.

“Mate, I think I remember at the time, obviously it’s hard when you’re in the game and you just see it, but Sheffield (United) players were saying ‘it’s not that bad, it’s not that bad’.

“There was a guy who did an interview after (Anel Ahmedhodzic on Sky) who was like ‘it’s definitely not a red card from what I saw’. Mate, when you look back at it on the video, whoa, that’s one of the worst tackles ever.”

Based on that tackle, and his spell at Southampton, Leeds very much dodged a bullet in not signing Holgate.

Leeds’ incredible run of form has been built on conceding just three goals in 13 matches since the turn of the New Year and that sort of ill discipline would’ve only damaged the foundations that have been built.

Instead, Leeds’ only signing in January was Connor Roberts and despite his lack of starts, he very much feels like exactly the type of character needed in the squad.