One season wonder? How Patrick Bamford can continue to score in the Premier League
Leeds United surprised many last season upon their return to Premier League football after a 16-year absence. Marcelo Bielsa guided the Yorkshire club to a ninth-place finish, after many overlooked them, suspecting they could be in for a relegation dogfight. However, Leeds enter their second season in the top flight with more people now aware of their firepower, hoping to replicate their successful first campaign and reduce the Premier League 2021/2022 betting odds on them being relegated.
A large part of Leeds’ resurgence in form was the goalscoring antics of striker Patrick Bamford. The former Chelsea man bounced around various sides in a period of inconsistency and self-doubt, now he’s found a place to call home at Elland Road and is repaying the fans with a plethora of goals. Bamford scored 17 last season, placing him fourth in the Golden Boot rankings and while he earned his plaudits, it wasn’t enough to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s England team for the Euros. However, that could serve as motivation to prove he wasn’t just a one season wonder. Read on, as we discuss a few other reasons why Patrick Bamford will continue to score.
A fast start
Bamford got off to an amazing start with his return to the Premier League last season. Unfortunately, his brace at Anfield wasn’t enough for Leeds to secure all three points, but it bolstered the 27-year-old’s confidence and stood him in good stead for the more winnable matches. Bamford quickly developed a reputation as a reliable goal scorer, and he will have to start productively with another tough start to this season – Manchester United away. If Bamford can score quickly and hit the ground running, he could reach a similar tally as last time out.
Leeds’ system
The demand Bielsa places on his players and the fitness required to implement the Leeds style has earned notoriety around the English game. Their aggressive, counter-pressing system utilises Bamford’s physical presence, and this, on top of his movement to run in behind defenders leads to plenty of chances being created.
The importance of fans back at Elland Road shouldn’t be overstated. Many will overlook Leeds in the big games and Premier League betting tips often go against the Bielsa’s side, but with Leeds’ style and the home fans back, Bamford should relish the opportunity to continue his goalscoring momentum.
Full of confidence
Bamford has always had to overcome the odds to be the player he is. Often ridiculed for his private education and upbringing, Bamford has been on loan countless times but never lacked the thick skin to overcome the odds. He has previously acknowledged his criticism and used is as a catalyst for better performances, saying: “People assume I have never had to work for anything, which is total nonsense.
“They think everything comes easy to you and that you take everything for granted. There was this misconception that I’m a really posh guy. The truth is I’m not. My parents went without sometimes to provide for me and my sisters and that’s why it does anger me when people think it’s been handed to me and my family gets it easy when it’s not like that.”
