Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa was criticised for letting Patrick Bamford play for the under-23s earlier in the season.
Marcelo Bielsa vehemently defended himself earlier in the season after Patrick Bamford injured himself playing for the under-23 side.
Bamford hurt his knee in early December after dropping down a level to sharpen up.
The decision backfired, with some fans even calling for Leeds to recall Caleb Ekuban from his loan spell.
A recall for Ekuban wasn’t necessary, with Leeds’ weathering Bamford’s absence to sit top of the table after 21 games, two short of the season’s midway point.
Bamford is on the comeback trail, named as an unused substitute for Leeds at the weekend.
He was back in the under-23 side yesterday against Burnley, and scored a hat-trick.
This comes as a huge boost for the striker and will hugely help his return from injury, sharpening him up and boosting his confidence.
Bamford was not the only one to shine. Izzy Brown picked up more minutes as he edged towards making his Leeds debut after a long-term injury.
Loanees Jack Harrison and Lewis Baker both impressed, as did Jack Clarke.
All of them came through the game unscathed, and better off.
When Bamford got injured, there was a suggestion that as a first team player, he should be protected and not risked in matches which did not mean anything.
Bielsa is sticking to his guns, and showing that under-23 football can be a positive for first team players.
Bamford is owner Andrea Radrizzani’s record signing since he took over at Leeds, and the striker’s hat-trick suggests he is ready to kickstart his first team career.
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