TAKING ONE FOR TEAM A MISTAKE
SIMON MULLOCK
LEEDS manager Marcelo Bielsa has admitted that he must carry the can for Patrick Bamford’s injury-ravaged season.
Bielsa revealed how he asked the England striker to play through the pain barrier when he damaged his ankle in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle in early September.
But Bamford aggravated the problem – and then missed Leeds’ next 11 games as Bielsa’s side slid down the Premier League table.
Bamford returned as a substitute against Brentford on December 5, but then pulled a hamstring as he celebrated scoring a last-minute equaliser – and hasn’t played since.
Bielsa said: “Bamford aggravated the injury at Newcastle.
“It was a lot worse due to that. We can’t be certain because it wasn’t a muscular injury.
“But was it because I asked him to stay on that it got worse? The answer is yes, it probably did make it worse.
“He was injured against Newcastle towards the end of the game. I asked him to finish what was left of the game because we needed him and he did so. He helped the team.
“But perhaps me asking him aggravated the injury. His next injury was caused by an uncoordinated movement when he scored.
“In the celebration he aggravated that small injury and it turned into
something more important. Perhaps the excess of character in the player is what has jeopardised us.”
Bielsa hopes that Bamford will return for the trip to West Ham after failing to make it for the 2-0 FA Cup defeat to David Moyes’ high-flying Hammers at the London Stadium last Sunday.
Bamford scored 17 goals last season as Leeds thrived on their return to the top flight.
His absence has clearly been an important factor in the Yorkshire club’s struggles this time.
Leeds have been hampered by a succession of other injuries, and will continue to be – skipper Liam Cooper and key midfielder Kalvin Phillips have been ruled out until the spring.
Bielsa has shown a preference for maintaining a small squad throughout his managerial career and has been forced to rely on a significant number of youngsters from Leeds’ excellent academy in recent months.
The Argentine is grateful for the understanding shown by the Elland Road fans – and his emotional celebration at the end of the 3-1 win over Burnley at the start of the month is a memory he will cherish.
The 66-year-old Bielsa admitted: “As you guys know, I haven’t had a lot of success in my career.
“But there are some memories that I hang on to that make me realise it has all been worth it.”