Ben Parker has told LS11 on Thursday that he reckons Leeds United striker Rodrigo will remain on the bench on Saturday despite scoring against Manchester City – and thinks Sam Allardyce will stick with Patrick Bamford up top.
Bamford lasted 80 minutes on Saturday, while Rodrigo was introduced on the hour mark against Manchester City as Leeds came close to causing an upset – eventually losing 2-1. Rodrigo got the goal, his 14th effort of the campaign.
There has been plenty of criticism for Bamford this week, with Leeds fans aggrieved at the club’s position in the Premier League table. So much so, that Bamford has seemingly deleted – or suspended – his Twitter account.
Ahead of our home clash against Newcastle on Saturday, it remains up for debate whether Allardyce will stick with Bamford – a player he has praised in press conferences – or go with Rodrigo after finishing superbly past Ederson.
Parker said: “Does he go with Bamford or Rodrigo? He’s bigged Bamford up in press conferences – saying we need him. You’d back Rodrigo to be more clinical. Is there room for both? I think he will go with Bamford over Rodrigo.”
Parker reckons Leeds striker Rodrigo will remain on bench on Saturday
It is harsh on Rodrigo, our top scorer who finished with aplomb on Saturday. But, Allardyce has given his backing to Bamford and it might be that he sticks to a similar side. One that sees Rodrigo play a big part, but from the bench.
Bamford is excellent at pressing and conserving energy. Allardyce’s plan will be to keep Newcastle at bay and then as the game goes on, look to push for a winner – as Leeds did at City. That is maybe, when Rodrigo is introduced.
More will be taken from Allardyce’s press conference on Thursday afternoon. But as things stand, you would think that Bamford will start once again for Leeds – over Rodrigo, a player once described as “brilliant” by Micah Richards.
