Patrick Bamford was at the front of the West Stand for Leeds United’s play-off semi-final against Norwich City.
Bamford was forced to sit out both legs of Leeds’ 4-0 aggregate win over the Canaries due to injury and has revealed it is ‘touch and go’ whether he will be fit for the final.
In front of a raucous crowd, Leeds were absolutely rampant at Elland Road and came racing out of the blocks thanks to Ilia Gruev’s brilliant free-kick.
David Wagner – who has since been sacked by Norwich – admitted his side struggled to cope with the atmosphere and the game was over by half-time thanks to goals from Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter.
It was then a partisan atmosphere in the second half with Liam Cooper receiving an excellent reception in his final appearance at Elland Road. Crysencio Summerville, meanwhile, rounded off the scoring.
Bamford gives verdict on Elland Road atmosphere vs Norwich
Junior Firpo and Illan Meslier were among the Leeds players who praised the fans for the atmosphere on their social media platforms after the game.
It was also clearly a lot for boyhood Leeds fan Archie Gray to take in after the game, as he stood alone in the middle of the pitch admiring the stands, while the rest of his teammates did a lap of honour.
But it must have been a different kind of experience for Bamford, as he was actually in the stands, all be it at the very front of the West by the dugouts.
Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘My Mate’s A Footballer Podcast‘, Bamford claimed he knew Leeds would get the job done as soon as he heard the reception when the players came out of the tunnel.
He said: “Mate, honestly, the atmosphere was… it’s hard to remember others before that, but that was incredible. I think Leeds fans will admit it themselves they can either be the best, and I mean the best, but away sides know that if they can turn the crowd, it can get a little bit itchy.
“There is a lot of people and you start to sense nerves in the crowd sometimes, but yesterday honestly. Before the players even walked out I was sat ready waiting and as they walked out, I thought there’s no way we don’t win this, with the atmosphere.
“I knew we were going to start fast, it’s the loudest I’ve ever heard it. With the white scarves and banners, sometimes that stuff can come across a bit gimmicky and doesn’t work, but yesterday it looked amazing.”
Bamford shares how he helped Georginio Rutter pre-match
Bamford may not have been able to help his teammates on the field, but he was still keen to ensure he played his part in the dressing room.
At 30, he is one of the most experienced members of the squad and with youngster Rutter out of form ahead of the game, Bamford made it his mission to give him some confidence before kick-off.
He said: “All I was concentrating on before the game was chatting to Georgi. Rutter has been having a little bit of a tough time over the last few weeks after he’s had the surgery.
“I was just saying to him before the game, trying to big him up and say what I felt like he’d want to hear just to put him in the right mindset.
“Honestly, whether I spoke to him or not, I don’t think whether I spoke to him or not if it even made a difference. I know what he’s like when he makes a mistake, he’s a young lad, he beats himself up big time.
“He can get in a vicious circle where he makes a mistake and tries to do something better to overcome that mistake, but then makes another. I was chatting to him before the game and making sure, but I could see the way he was. He was confident, ready to go and happy.”