OPINION
Johnny Giles has condemned the lack of reliability that Leeds United’s strikers have shown this season, which should be taken as a clear warning by Patrick Bamford.
The 25-year-old, who signed from Middlesbrough last summer, has not shown anywhere near the form that Leeds fans would have expected from him and he was one of the worst players on the pitch on Wednesday night when Derby County beat them in the play-off semi-finals.
Bamford did score 10 goals in 25 appearances across all competitions for the Whites, but the ex-Chelsea attacker definitely should have hit the target more often as his poor form towards the end of the campaign is one of the reasons why Marcelo Bielsa’s failed to win promotion with his side.
Leeds legend Giles believes that United’s toothless attack was a major contributing factor in their play-off defeat.
“They didn’t really have anyone up front,” Giles told Off the Ball, as shown via their Periscope account on Thursday night.
“They didn’t have a striker that you could depend on to get them out of trouble, they really needed it badly.
“So I think they were lacking up front.”
Giles’ verdict should leave Bamford sweating over his future at Elland Road because as proven by the other clubs at the top-end of the Championship table, a regular goalscorer is exactly what you need to get promoted.
Norwich had Teemu Pukki and Sheffield United had Billy Sharp.
Going further down the table, West Brom had Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle both score over 20 goals each and Tammy Abraham was on fire at Aston Villa.
Neal Maupay’s season at Brentford also deserves recognition with him netting 25 goals in the Championship.
Leeds’ top goalscorer in the league was Roofe with 14, but the ex-West Brom attacker is not exactly known for his ability to play as a centre-forward as he has always been someone who plays a bit deeper in the attack or on the wing.
Bamford is Leeds’ only real centre-forward and he should be disappointed with his performances this season as Giles wouldn’t be pointing out the lack of a strong striker if he was impressed by the 25-year-old.