Andy Hinchcliffe was extremely critical of Patrick Bamford towards the end of the first-half as Leeds United toiled against Sunderland on Tuesday night.
Daniel Farke’s side had a point to prove after their disappointing defeat to Coventry City at the weekend.
Unfortunately for Leeds, it proved to be another difficult half against the Black Cats.
Sunderland looked to frustrate the Whites by defending deep and inviting pressure. Farke’s side struggled to find many answers, rarely looking like testing Anthony Patterson.
Patrick Bamford criticised as Leeds toiled in first-half
Leeds’ tactic to get the ball to Crysencio Summerville did not reap its usual rewards. But there was one moment late in the first-half when Summerville found Patrick Bamford on the corner of the box.
Bamford – who had been involved in a heated battle with Daniel Ballard – had an opening to have a shot at goal. However, his strike went high and wide; summing up the £7 million striker’s half at Elland Road.
And speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 9/4; 20:46), Andy Hinchcliffe suggested that Bamford should have done so much better with that chance.
“It’s just a wild swipe of the ball. He’s better than that,” he said. “From that position, just whip the ball with your instep. He gets drawn out of that central area, but he goes and then joins in again. He gets away from Summerville, he’s in space. Just a whipped pass to the top corner. It’s just a wild swipe and it’s way off target.”
Daniel Farke took a gamble – which did not pay off
It seemed imperative that Bamford stepped up on Tuesday. He enjoyed a brilliant run of form following the turn of the year. But he has now not scored in any of his last five league games.
There may have been some Leeds fans hoping to see Joel Piroe or Mateo Joseph start instead. Piroe did score at the weekend. And Joseph has looked bright whenever he has come on in recent weeks.
But Farke gave Bamford another chance to prove himself. Unfortunately for Leeds, the gamble did not pay off.
The post 'He's better than that': Sky pundit slams 'wild' £7m Leeds player during first-half against Sunderland appeared first on TBR Football.