Tony Dorigo feels Patrick Bamford ‘needs confidence’ to be a regular goal threat for Leeds United again. But the striker pleased the Whites hero with a well-taken effort on Saturday.
Leeds have seldom seen Bamford pose a prolific threat at Elland Road during the past two seasons. The 29-year-old has endured a horrific time with injuries since producing a lethal campaign in 2020/21. His endless issues have also cost the striker his chances for England.
Gareth Southgate awarded Bamford his England debut and sole appearance for the Three Lions back in September 2021. He had captivated the manager with his efforts in the prior Premier League season after netting 17 goals and laying on eight assists in 38 appearances.
Injuries have ruined the past two seasons for Patrick Bamford at Leeds
But his first of many injuries struck days after Bamford started for England in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley. The striker suffered an ankle injury and had to sit out the next three months. He then suffered a hamstring problem and did not play again before March 2022.
A foot injury would end Bamford’s 2021/22 term in March with two goals and two assists after just nine appearances. While adductor, hip and leg injuries so far this term have held him to 18 appearances. The attacker has also only scored two and assisted one goal so far.
Bamford penned his second goal of the Premier League season so far as Leeds drew 2-2 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. Jack Harrison found the Grantham-born star to draw the Whites level at 1-1. His prior effort came in a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa in January.
The striker pleased Tony Dorigo with his goal in the Whites’ drew vs Brighton
It took a slice of fortune for Bamford to score against Brighton with his 20-yard strike going in off the crossbar with a slight deflection off Adam Webster. Bamford pleased Dorigo with his goal nonetheless but Leeds’ title-winner feels he needs more confidence to score more.
“For our own attacking players, it was so pleasing to see the ball hit the net twice,” Dorigo wrote in his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post. “For Patrick Bamford, in particular, it was excellent. We know that he can score goals but he needs confidence.
“When he’s on song, he can bang a few in but it’s taken him a little while to get that fitness and sharpness. Being that No9 through the middle, like it or not end product is what he’ll be measured on and Saturday’s was an excellent goal.”
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