The former Leeds striker, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, was not impressed with the display produced by Bamford against Cardiff City last weekend.
Whelan has urged the former Chelsea and Nottingham Forest striker to step up his game against Fulham this afternoon.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side will take on the Cottagers in the Championship at Elland Road in a few hours’ time.
Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds (6:09pm, Friday, June 26, 2020): “We need a Patrick Bamford who works the line. It wasn’t just about the chances he missed when opportunities came his way.
“He’s usually a lot more aggressive, more mobile, more involved in the game. I feel he was a passenger [against Cardiff] and we can’t have that.
“He’s our only striker, our number nine and we need him to lead the line with aggression, with confidence and belief. That’s what he needs, more belief in himself.”
Stats
Bamford struggled to make an impact for Leeds in their 2-0 defeat to Cardiff away from home at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Championship last weekend.
According to WhoScored, the 26-year-old striker took two shots which were not on target, played one key pass, had a pass accuracy of 66.7%, won one header, and took 22 touches.
So far this season, the Englishman has made 36 starts and one substitute appearances in the Championship for Leeds, scoring 13 goals and providing two assists in the process, according to WhoScored.
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