Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford cut a forlorn figure against Everton as Alan Shearer spotted his frustrated reactions at Goodison Park.
The Whites headed to Merseyside on Saturday afternoon for an absolutely vital battle in the fight against relegation.
Leeds really needed a positive result here but ended up falling to a 1-0 defeat.
Seamus Coleman’s strike from a tight angle caught out Illan Meslier and ended up giving Everton three crucial points.
Leeds just didn’t have nearly enough going forward, failing to even register a single shot on target at Goodison Park.
If Leeds can’t find a regular source of goals, they are going to find survival incredibly difficult – and they ultimately need more from Bamford.
Alan Shearer spots Patrick Bamford frustration in Leeds United defeat
Bamford has endured injury problems in recent seasons and looks a shadow of his former self.
The 29-year-old smashed 17 goals in the 2020-21 campaign but looks a long way from that kind of record.
Bamford has played 16 times this season – eight times as a starter, eight off the bench – and managed just one goal.
Bamford has only managed one shot on target in his last five games and Leeds need so much more from their big-name attacker.
Alan Shearer has now had his say on Bamford having spotted him cutting a rather frustrated figure against Everton.
Shearer noted on Match of the Day that Leeds kept knocking long balls up to Bamford that he just couldn’t do anything with against the Everton defence.
Shearer spotted one moment where Bamford reacted with real annoyance towards his Leeds teammates.
“Long, hopeful balls up – just look at the reaction from Bamford here, as if to say ‘what on earth am I meant to do with that?’ – and that happened on more than one occasion,” said Shearer.
Leeds have plenty of attacking talent in their ranks but they just aren’t firing on all cylinders right now.
Whoever becomes Whites boss will need to get the attack ticking – and hopefully help Bamford recapture his form.
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