Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford has admitted that he found the going tough against Sheffield United last weekend, on the Leeds United podcast.
Bamford was given a break from action over the international break, as the Leeds striker looked to get back to full fitness following an injury problem.
However, a week off training and a fortnight off games saw his fitness levels decrease.
And the 27-year-old admits that he was tired during last Saturday’s game.
“Yeah, I was blowing! After a week off without training, getting your first wind,” Bamford said.
“I feel like sometimes people say players could do with a rest, the two weeks off over international break will help, but sometimes it’s better just to keep plowing through the games.
“Because when you do have that little break away from the games it all catches up on you, rather than you keep moving through it without giving it time to hit you. It can work both ways.”
That fatigue may have been part of the reason why Bielsa opted to take the Leeds finisher off, just after the hour mark.
Bamford is rarely substituted for the Whites, but was withdrawn with Leeds 2-1 up.
Thankfully Leeds went on to secure the three points without their top goalscorer.
And Bamford will surely be starting again at the weekend when Leeds take on Manchester City, in what looks like another tough game for Bielsa’s men.
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