Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DON’T EXPECT A WHAM-BAM START!
Patrick’s back, but Bielsa urges caution
BY
MARCELO BIELSA has told Leeds fans not to expect too much too soon from striker Patrick Bamford.
Bamford has been out since mid-september with an ankle injury but will feature against Brentford at Elland Road tomorrow.
Bielsa has warned supporters the England striker, who bagged 17 Premier League goals last season, may not hit top form straight away because he has been out for so long.
“To be available and healthy is the first step for a player who has been without competition for two months,” said the Leeds boss. “A player can be healthy and fit but adaptating to competition can take time.
“Raising expectations is inconvenient. There are players who, the more you expect of them, the more they give, but there are also players who, when they feel expectations are raised, become inhibited.”
Bamford (right) was signed by Premier League Chelsea from Nottingham Forest for £1.5million when he was just 18.
He was loaned out to Milton Keynes Dons, Derby, and Middlesbrough, where he won the Championship Player of the Year for the 2014–15 season.
Leeds have badly missed the 28-year-old – they have scored just 13 times in their first 14 Premier League games compared to 24 at the same stage last season. Bamford is the focal point for their attack and
Bielsa admits he has been a big loss to Leeds
“He’s a player who scored a goal every two games last season,” said the Argentinian veteran. “That’s enough to show us his importance.
“Even when he doesn’t score, he’s an important part of the way the team functions.”
In another welcome boost for Leeds, Luke Ayling has also finally recovered from the knee injury which has sidelined him since mid-september.
Raphinha’s 93rdminute winner against Crystal Palace on Tuesday has transformed the mood at Elland Road and Leeds have the chance tomorrow to complete back-to-back league wins for the first time since the end of last season.
Bielsa says they need to start stringing wins together to improve their disappointing tally of just 15 points.
“To win consecutively fortifies you,” he said. “Given the amount of fixtures we have played up until now, the points we have on board are few.
“Every fixture is an opportunity to enhance numbers and Brentford is our next opportunity.”