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Patrick Bamford: How Leeds striker and his club are proving doubters wrong

Last updated on .From the section Leeds Unitedcomments343

Bielsa happy for 'noble and generous' Bamford

Leeds United and their striker Patrick Bamford both know a thing or two about being written off.

Bamford was once a teenage wonderkid on the books of Chelsea, but he had not kicked a ball in anger in the Premier League for three years before this season.

Leeds had to endure slightly longer away from the top flight - 16 years in fact - during which they lurched from one crisis and false dawn to the next until Marcelo Bielsa came along and marched them back into the big time.

But the doubters remain. Just this week, former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor described Bielsa's side as a "myth" on Talksportexternal-link and said teams would "find them out".

On Friday, though, both Leeds and Bamford demonstrated that there is far more substance to them, with the striker netting a hat-trick as his side put Villa, the division's in-form side, to the sword.

'It's a fresh start...'

Bamford has now scored six goals in six games for Leeds this season.

Before that, he had scored just once in 27 top-flight appearances during loan spells away from Chelsea at Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Burnley and then permanently at Middlesbrough.

But Bamford is a different player now, in different circumstances - and he acknowledges that himself.

"The last time [I was in the Premier League], maybe people said I wasn't ready - but I didn't have a proper go at it," said the 27-year-old Englishman.

"It is a fresh start for me to prove I belong here. If I keep on doing it the boys will be happy and I'll be happy.

"This time I have a manager who believes in me and, as long as I keep working hard, he will keep trusting me."

The stats are certainly racking up in Bamford's favour...

  • He now has 32 goals in 78 Leeds appearances since joining from Middlesbrough, for whom he scored his only other professional hat-trick - against Leeds in February 2018.
  • He is just the second player to score in Leeds' opening three away league games in a top-flight season, after Gordon Hodgson in 1937-38.
  • His six goals in six games at the start of a Leeds Premier League season can only be matched by one player - Eric Cantona.
  • And his performance saw you reward him with a stunning average rating of 9.23 on our Player Rater - the highest given so far this season.

How Bamford scored his goals...

Bamford has often been criticised for his profligacy in front of goal, but his three goals on Friday were a masterclass of ruthless, predatory finishing...

  • 55 minutes: The simplest of the three, seizing on a loose ball for a tap-in after Emiliano Martinez had saved Rodrigo's low shot.
  • 67 minutes: A superb, rising finish into the top corner from 20 yards after receiving the ball from Mateusz Klich. It is only the second of his 30 Leeds league goals to come from outside the area.
  • 74 minutes: Completes his treble with another pinpoint finish into the far top corner after he is found in the box by Helder Costa.

"In the first half I missed two good chances, but once the first went in it settled us," added Bamford.

"The crucial thing was we didn't give up any part of the game. In general, we controlled the game and we played it our way.

"Villa are a good team. I think someone said Bielsa is a myth, but I think we have shown Leeds are here and are here to compete."

'Deserved triumph' lifts Leeds to third

Leeds boss Bielsa preferred to credit Bamford for his goalscoring feats.

"Very happy for Patrick [Bamford] because he scored some wonderful goals," said the Argentine. "Apart from that he is a noble player who sacrifices a lot for the team - generous also.

"His development is more to do with him and less to do with me."

Bielsa has now overseen three Premier League victories, all of which have showcased the tireless work ethic and attacking intent for which his side are renowned.

They have also given Liverpool a scare, despite a defeat on the opening day, and gone toe to toe with Manchester City to secure a draw.

Friday's win lifts them up to third in the table in the Premier League - their highest position on the football ladder since September 2002.

"It was an important game for us and a deserved triumph," Bielsa added.

'Pure magic' - what you had to say...

Alan Greenwood: GET IN. Oh what a display! Great performance from the lads. What an individual performance by Bamford. Hopefully that will shut his critics up for good!

Tony: Absolutely ecstatic with Leeds' performance tonight. I always knew Bamford had it in him to light this league up.

PG, Bournemouth: As a Chelsea fan I'm tempted to sigh regretfully about Bamford and moan about another one that we needlessly let go of. But would he ever really have prospered at Chelsea without someone like Bielsa?

Jon K: Bamford worth an international call-up surely?

Vit4l V3locity: The first goal was class from Bamford. The second, in that crowded space, was pure magic!

AGADA CHRIS: Bamford shredding Aston Villa apart

Geoff C: This league is crazy, unpredictable and brilliant - more please!

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343 comments

  • Comment posted by D1679648811423, at 07:01 24 Oct 2020

    "How Leeds striker and his club are proving doubters wrong"

    Were the "doubters", the learned ranks of media Salford centrals sports journo hacks...??

    Creating a headline out of their own blind ignorance...

    Hard to believe, but we pay for this drivel.

    • Reply posted by Paul11, at 08:01 24 Oct 2020

      Paul11 replied:
      Well said. The grudging credit shames the profession and the game itself. Why the need for the in-depth analysis too? These so called doubters aren’t anyone special, just self appointed experts paid lots of money for spouting speculative rubbish. Money for old rope.

  • Comment posted by evilfrost, at 03:50 24 Oct 2020

    Man Utd fan, Leeds have been a pleasure to watch this season. Glad you lot are back where you belong.

    • Reply posted by More on this story, at 07:08 24 Oct 2020

      More on this story replied:
      As you are a Man U fan I thought I would reply and agree with you before that 1966 Scouser trolls all over your comment!

      Well done Leeds BTW.

  • Comment posted by LUFCFanDave, at 06:58 24 Oct 2020

    Agbonlahor now has egg on his face, shouldn't be employed as a pundit, too biased, compare him with Jermaine Beckford, obviously Leeds through and through, yet he gives a good assessment of both sides.
    Agbonlahor needs to have a chat with Dean Smith for whom I have complete respect. Good luck to Villa, you may need it. For us I will be happy to be safely mid table by end of season, MOT!

    • Reply posted by Oracle, at 07:38 24 Oct 2020

      Oracle replied:
      Completely agree. Not a Leeds or Villa fan, but that was some match. Bamford shows promise that he can make it in the PL but your considered comment is well judged. It’s early days & we will learn more about strength & depth of squads when injuries & squad rotation kick in. Also similar rave reviews were made about Norwich at the start of last season. But Leeds fans are rightly happy & optimistic.

  • Comment posted by More on this story, at 06:53 24 Oct 2020

    Bit of a dumb headline Leeds proving doubters wrong?

    I think 90% plus expected them to give some of the established teams a bloody nose or a run for their money! These doubters were probably BBC pundits so that's normal for them to be wrong!

    Good to see them shaking things up a bit!

    • Reply posted by D1679401126065, at 09:06 24 Oct 2020

      D1679401126065 replied:
      LOL!

      Yes I think any fan who knows anything about football is not surprised by these performances.

      It would appear these so-called 'doubters' work for the BBC.

      Those who can do, those who can't become pundits!

  • Comment posted by Paul11, at 08:07 24 Oct 2020

    No Leeds supporters I know are running away with hifalutin ideas of being title contenders or even a European spot this season. We’re six games out of thirty eight into the season and plenty of big games to go. It’s case of so far so good and we’ve shown we can give the City’s and Uniteds a good run for their money. A top half finish will be a great result, anything else will be a bonus.

    • Reply posted by D1679471153409, at 10:17 24 Oct 2020

      D1679471153409 replied:
      Rubbish. A top-half finish is my dream.

  • Comment posted by Sandoz, at 02:21 24 Oct 2020

    Marcelo Bielsa has already been given god like status by Leeds United fans. I certainly believe that those in the upper echelons of the "Fabled" Premier league have begun to see now what the great man has achieved with the "Peacocks" since he took charge over two years ago. I am aware that it's early days yet but the "Myth of Bielsa" is already the "stuff of legend" to us. MOT.
    Keep Safe Everyone.

    • Reply posted by Paul11, at 08:18 24 Oct 2020

      Paul11 replied:
      As LUFC supporter since the 60s, I’ve seen managers come and go but none have really made a mark like MB has done since Revie, all big names but big disappointments as managers with the slight exception of Howard Wilkinson. I mean, what was the idea of David Hockaday, no offence to the man, but set up to fail? The big job now for MB is to embed LUFC as a proper PL fixture like the Mancs and others

  • Comment posted by Andrew Clavin, at 08:22 24 Oct 2020

    talksport has gone downhill massively.As if agbonlahor..darren bent..stuart pearce..as if they have a clue .Come on.Really

    • Reply posted by stevef, at 08:41 24 Oct 2020

      stevef replied:
      The standard of Punditry has got to shocking levels in recent years. We see far too many biased ex players co commentating and in the studios, giving opinions that are basically meaningless due to their allegiance. But worse are ex players who achieved nothing in their careers but feel they are entitled to give their views/advice to players/club who are successful. Savage / Bent prime examples.

  • Comment posted by D1710713955754, at 02:00 24 Oct 2020

    Really some exquisite goals from Bamford, even the first "tap in" was not straightforward as he had to avoid the defenders trying to block it - second and third goals were right in the corner of the goal - I think Leeds will be my second team this year after LFC

    • Reply posted by Chilled Monkey Brains, at 09:32 24 Oct 2020

      Chilled Monkey Brains replied:
      Literally getting downvotes because who you said you support, after a reasonable comment. Some people on here can't help themselves. Leeds have been great to watch, long may it continue.

  • Comment posted by JimmyC, at 10:27 24 Oct 2020

    “Proving doubters wrong” ... this is such a tired journalistic narrative, reducing everything to doubters , haters, chokers etc.

    I wasn’t sure what to expect from Leeds this season, got a good idea on day 1 and they have continued to impress. I don’t consider myself some “doubter” who has been “proved wrong”.

    Life isn’t always as compartmentalised as journalists like to pretend.

    • Reply posted by AFCDale, at 10:36 24 Oct 2020

      AFCDale replied:
      It's the BBC, nobody can just do well anymore, always has to be proving doubters, haters etc like you say.

      Or their favourite, crying about someone who said a few nasty words to you years ago.

  • Comment posted by MikeDavies, at 01:55 24 Oct 2020

    Chelsea fan here, no real biff with Leeds in spite of the history.
    Glad for Bamford and pleased that he's doing well at last.

    • Reply posted by David, at 14:15 24 Oct 2020

      David replied:
      Happy memories of some classic matches between the Blues and Whites!

  • Comment posted by D1710665635439, at 01:06 24 Oct 2020

    I really like Villa but Leeds made them look bad tonight - it was so one sided 0-3 doesn't do justice to Leeds. Bamford hit 3 but a good striker would of had 6 (at least). Leeds play with flare - Rodrigo fits in and Raphinha looks a good buy. Leeds look like a top 6 team now. Leeds play fast too and Villa just couldn't keep up tonight

  • Comment posted by samman, at 09:52 24 Oct 2020

    As a blades fan it pains me to see leeds doing so well,but fair play to them and bamford

    • Reply posted by Paul, at 20:44 24 Oct 2020

      Paul replied:
      Be nice to see you bloody the nose of Liverpool tonight so we can stay 3rd a bit longer. ☺️👍

  • Comment posted by Harry Machin, at 09:01 24 Oct 2020

    I hope Leeds can hold on to their best players and the manager. The top 6 and the media will try to see that they don't. That's the misery of being a fan of any team outside the clique.

    • Reply posted by D1679471153409, at 10:15 24 Oct 2020

      D1679471153409 replied:
      Yes, I agree. The BBC Gossip section is just full of top 6 gossip every day. I have stopped reading it.

  • Comment posted by conky666, at 10:27 24 Oct 2020

    lovely football Leeds from an LFC fan

  • Comment posted by D1679550396359, at 10:20 24 Oct 2020

    Really impressed by this Leeds team. The attitude and execution are right. Not afraid by playing the ball forward and attaqing football even after scoring the 3rd goal. Some so called big teams after scoring 1/2 goals will play for "possession" and will be happy with 1-0 or 2-1. Again well played Leeds

  • Comment posted by D1679184030040, at 11:04 24 Oct 2020

    He's a lucky boy falling into Biesla's hands. I wonder how many players like Bamford end up with the wrong manager and wither on the vine?

    • Reply posted by BigMac, at 11:10 24 Oct 2020

      BigMac replied:
      Like Salah, de Bruyne, ... another example of a Chelsea reject showing how good they are, once away from the toxic Abramovich playpen.

  • Comment posted by AFCDale, at 10:18 24 Oct 2020

    I've barely seen anybody doubt them except those who would have done so regardless of anything.

    1 of the most respected managers in the world, good players + some great buys after getting promoted to add to them.

    Though my personal favourite promoted team will always be Blackpool Leeds are not far off and will certainly have a much more successful season.

    • Reply posted by CAPTAIN CUSTARD, at 16:28 24 Oct 2020

      CAPTAIN CUSTARD replied:
      By those figures 'Gobby' managed a measly 1 goal every 4.68 games and voted Villa's man of the match ONCE in 2007......pretty crap really for a bloke mouthing it off as if he'd been there and done that, apparently not.

  • Comment posted by D1679471153409, at 10:13 24 Oct 2020

    Bamfords goals will be on my list to watch over and over again with Tony Yeboah's goals. which by the way are the best ever scored EVER.

    • Reply posted by stewartisolated20, at 10:42 24 Oct 2020

      stewartisolated20 replied:
      Good that you will be in your leeds bubble.....Tony who!!!!!

  • Comment posted by Kzinn, at 11:33 24 Oct 2020

    Doubters? No-one who watched Leeds last season thought they would struggle this year. Just look at footage of the Arsenal FA Cup tie (first half, obviously!).

    As for Agbonlahor, he played primarily as a striker, and scored 75 goals in 351 games.

    So, occasionally he got it right, but was generally a failure.

    Interesting that his punditry is following the same (poor) route as his career.

    • Reply posted by davey bones, at 11:45 24 Oct 2020

      davey bones replied:
      I agree, the BBC to hire the most most inept out there. Agbonlahor was a lousy striker and an even worse pundit, he makes Jenas look like Brian Clough.

  • Comment posted by D1713346643628, at 10:29 24 Oct 2020

    Bamford is absolutely not "noble" but he has certainly improved a great deal this season. I don't think Leeds as a team have proved anyone "wrong" though - anyone who paid even a bit of attention to the Championship could have told you they are an exceptionally coached side who would cause problems in the Premier League.

    • Reply posted by tundok, at 13:53 24 Oct 2020

      tundok replied:
      Well said..I've been a Leeds fan for more than 4 decades. The year before Bielsa joined that had to be the worst Leeds team bar Kemar Roofe. Bielsa comes along and wow, the same players have upped their game 150%. The transformation Bielsa has done wow!!! The past 2 seasons I've not seen Leeds playing out for a draw. This is how football should be fast and free flowing.

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