Patrick on the money
PATRICK BAMFORD’S stunning return propelled Leeds to the top of the table, while Bolton were left to contemplate a survival scrap on and off the pitch.
The £7m Leeds paid Middlesbrough for Bamford would probably ensure the Wanderers players are paid well into the New Year.
But Bolton boss Phil Parkinson isn’t bitter about the huge divide between the haves and have nots in the cut-throat Championship.
He accepts that his managerial skills have been tested, having to explain why his squad were forced to wait for their wages last month as the club hovered on the brink of administration.
In terms of grit and spirit they were quids in, forcing Leeds to win ugly to secure a fifth successive win.
In the end the difference was the emergence of Bamford off the bench months ahead of schedule following a serious knee injury in September.
Quality
“We saw Bamford coming on fresh when there were a lot of heavy legs on the pitch,” said Parkinson. “The scene was set for him.
“The difference between the teams at the top and the bottom is something like that – the final-third-ofthepitch quality. But when I see the lads giving it their all, it gives me great pride.
“I’ve played in and managed teams when things aren’t going too well and everyone starts blaming one another. We haven’t had that at all.”
After clinically netting his first goal for the club from an excellent pass by Pablo Hernandez, Bamford said: “It has been a long time coming.
“We just had to wait for a chance and fortunately it fell to me. Then it was down to the rest of the team to grind it out.”
The no-frills performance included another fine display from Jamie Shackleton, 19, playing only his second game as a raiding right-back.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa said: “He is playing like a veteran. He’s covering well for the absent players.”