Sam Allardyce has picked out Patrick Bamford as the key player for Leeds United as they look to save themselves from relegation in the final four games of the Premier League season.
The Whites are gearing up for the games with the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham. It is going to be a huge task to keep the bottom three below them given the club’s recent form.
The decision to appoint Sam Allardyce as boss feels like a huge roll of the dice. But Leeds had to take that gamble.
The quality is probably there to get out of trouble. But confidence is on the floor right now. So Leeds need improved performances all over the pitch.
Allardyce backs Bamford to be a key player
Allardyce was asked in his press conference about which players could be key for him in this short spell as Leeds manager. And he opted for the striker.
“Well, I want Patrick Bamford to be on top form, because I think he’s a key player in terms of holding the ball up and being able to get up the pitch, and him to score goals. Give him the opportunity to score goals. Hopefully he stays fit and he becomes a key player,” he said in his press conference.
It would certainly appear that Allardyce has confirmed that Bamford will be his starting striker in the final four games of the season.
That seems a sensible decision. Rodrigo has been so much better in front of goal this term. But Bamford appears to give the team a lot more in the build-up play.
And he has now scored a handful of goals this season, including one against Bournemouth on Sunday. Having said that, had he scored the winner against Leicester with that golden chance late on, the situation could be very different.
Unfortunately, that has been the case for much of Bamford’s Leeds career. He does miss a number of big chances. And he has been difficult to rely on when it comes to his fitness issues.
But he is definitely a very good striker when he is at his best. If Allardyce can unlock that potential, the Whites will certainly stand a much better chance of getting the points they need.