Patrick Bamford is the definition of a marmite figure. You either love him or you hate him, and in the eyes of many supporters at half time on Saturday afternoon, the feeling was one of disdain.
The 26-year-old had struck the post in the opening 45 minutes before being berated by fans over the interval.
At times this term, he’s received staunch criticism but he’s also been applauded for his work rate. However, come full-time at Kenilworth Road, there must have been a feeling of love.
Not only did Bamford open the scoring but he also slid the ball home to win his side the game on 90 minutes.
For someone who hadn’t scored in ten games prior to netting against Blackburn before the international break, his movement oozed of someone with confidence.
The former Middlesbrough man is very much a form player. He bagged four in his first five outings of the season but after a run of dreadful outings, there were calls for Eddie Nketiah to start.
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He is still yet to achieve that in the league and he’s made his feelings all too clear. It didn’t seem to matter how poorly Bamford performed, he’d always get the nod.
A recent injury halted his chances just as it looked as though he may be due a run of starts but with his competition for a place in the side now back among the goals, he should be fearful.
The above image is from Bamford’s first goal against the Hatters on Saturday. He took the ball in his stride and then fired it unerringly past James Shea in goal. It was a tidy finish and one that should strike fear into Nketiah’s body.
Coming back from injury is never easy but now it’ll be even harder given Leeds’ number nine is fit and firing.
For Nketiah, his chances of breaking into the team look at an all-time low.
