Tony Dorigo reacts to Patrick Bamford’s performance in Leeds win

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Patrick Bamford silenced his critics with two goals for Leeds United on Tuesday night.

Tony Dorigo has told LUTV that he is a big fan of Patrick Bamford’s work-rate and mental strength, but suggested that he does not want to see the Leeds striker drift out wide when he is leading the line.

Bamford silenced his critics on Tuesday as his brace saw Leeds win 2-0 at Preston North End. His first was an emphatic strike from outside the box, while he produced a superb header to double the Whites’ lead at Deepdale.

The summer signing had faced a hefty amount of criticism after failing to take his chances in the previous three games. Dorigo lauded what the 25-year-old brings to the side, but offered one piece of advice to the forward about the positions he gets himself into.

“Minutes to goal, he’s been absolutely tremendous,” he told LUTV. “Not only that, I look at his work-rate. He does work really hard. Now what I don’t want to see is [Bamford] out on the wings all the time, going away from where he needs to be.

“But eventually, when he gets a sight of goal, there’s only one thing on his mind. A couple of minutes earlier, he went with his other foot when he probably could have passed. There [when he strikes the ball for the opening goal], I’m going to have another go. This time, it’s in the back of the net. He’s got great mental strength. He has belief in his ability.”

The goals will probably do Bamford’s confidence the world of good. With Kemar Roofe making his return to the side in the last couple of games, the former Middlesbrough man may have been starting to feel under pressure to make sure that he impresses.

He appeared to be even more determined to make an impact against Preston. In the first-half, he more than held his own in a physical battle with the two centre-backs.

And having scored such an impressive brace to win the game, perhaps it should surprise no-one if Bamford decides to have a go from distance if Sheffield Wednesday decide to give him a yard of space when they visit Elland Road on Saturday.