Patrick Bamford splits opinion amongst the Leeds United fan base, as he endured a frustrating afternoon against Derby County over the weekend.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has stated that Patrick Bamford’s inability to be ruthless in front of goal is a ‘mental’ problem and not a technical issue.
The former striker was asked what he would tell Bamford if Marcelo Bielsa called him up to work with him, as he claimed that he would urge him to score goals ‘no matter what’.
On Saturday, Leeds recorded a 1-1 draw with Derby County, but the scoreline didn’t reflect the performance as the home team were the dominant side, but they were unable to capitalise.
Speaking on Sky Sports Football (21/09/2019 at 2:45 pm), Hasselbaink urged Bamford to be more determined when he is in front of goal.
“Bamford had three or four good chances,” Hasselbaink told Sky Sports Football. “Yes, he did play well, but if you miss them, and Klich scores for 2-0 then nobody will talk about his misses.
On what he would say to Bamford if Bielsa called him to do some striker training: “I don’t think it’s a technical thing. I think it’s a mental thing. Wanting to score goals, no matter what type of goals. Whether it comes from your backside, your knee, but it’s about being in the right positions. It’s a mental, a mental thing for me.”
On one hand, Bamford does put in the performances, he does get into the right areas, but at the other end, it seems as though he needs a number of chances to put just one away.
He could have scored at least a brace against the Rams over the weekend, with his one-on-one effort with the keeper being dinked over the bar, and the other hitting the post from close range.
Either way, it is something Leeds need to address because, after last season, they can’t allow themselves to drop points when they are performing at such a high standard.
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