Would Leeds United be better with Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford playing as a two?
Simon Grayson has intimated on talkSPORT 2 that Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa should pair Patrick Bamford and Kemar Roofe in a two-pronged attack going forward.
Leeds’ automatic promotion hopes officially died at Elland Road during this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, which confirmed Norwich City and Sheffield United’s top-two finish.
Roofe was out injured but Bamford cut an isolated figure for United during a goalless first half.
It isn’t the first that time that the former Middlesbrough hitman – a £7 million signing last summer [Daily Mail] – has struggled to get involved in the Whites’ play this season.
And former Leeds boss Grayson says that maybe he needs Roofe up front alongside him ahead of the playoff campaign.
He told talkSPORT 2: “I would prefer if you’re going to sign someone like Patrick Bamford I think he needs somebody to play alongside him.
“Maybe him and Roofe if they’re both fit, which hasn’t happened too often this year. Roofe would look to run in behind with his pace and is a little bit stronger.”
Overall Leeds have had a brilliant season, but it’ll count for nothing if Bielsa doesn’t win promotion through the playoffs.
And Grayson might be right. It might be time to adopt a two-pronged attack with Bamford and Roofe – who cost £3 million in 2016 [Yorkshire Post] – as the focal points. Injuries to both this season mean that Bielsa hasn’t really had the chance to use that idea before, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
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