Patrick Bamford’s comments show he agrees with what Leeds fans are saying

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Patrick Bamford was excellent as Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United moved top of the table – but he still failed to score against Championship rivals West Brom.

Patrick Bamford has admitted to the Leeds United website that he feels he’s made big improvements in his hold-up play and ability to lead the line this season, even if his finishing can leave a lot to be desired at times.

The wispy, rakish centre-forward who arrived at Elland Road in a £7 million deal from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2018 is a different man these days.

So often during a mixed debut season in West Yorkshire, Bamford struggled to influence the game as a lone striker, bullied out of the way by physical defenders and frequently reduced to the role of a frustrated spectator.

Clearly, the former Chelsea youngster has benefited from having a full pre-season under his belt, however, coming back far stronger after an off-season being put through his paces by Marcelo Bielsa’s formidable coaching staff.

Leeds are reaping the rewards too with Bamford producing the kind of authoritative, ferocious performance he previously looked incapable of during Tuesday’s hard-fought 1-0 win against West Brom. If only he could add a much-needed clinical streak to his game.

“Maybe last year, one of the things that I was criticised for a little bit was not being aggressive enough and can I do it up front on my own,” he said after being denied by a terrific Sam Johnstone save in the second half.

“I knew that I could and I had the strength, I just had to add that aggression into my game a bit and to be honest I think this season my performances have been a lot higher than last year, I know I have probably missed a few chances still, but I need to keep working for the team.”

Bamford’s comments pretty much reflect what each and every Leeds fan is thinking right now.

Slowly but surely, he is becoming the kind of striker Bielsa desperately needs but a run of five Championship games without a goal is a problem only he can solve. There’s still one glaring hole in his game.