OPINION
Patrick Bamford was tasked with leading the line for Leeds in the second leg of the play-off semi-final at Elland Road, but he had an awful game and was castigated by fans after the 4-2 defeat left their season in tatters.
Kemar Roofe was ruled out of the game through injury and that was a huge blow for Leeds. He’s been in and out of the team all season but still ended up their top scorer, and how they needed him last night.
Bamford cut a forlorn and ineffectual figure for most of the game, with left-back Stuart Dallas getting both goals for the home side.
The striker was too easily pushed off the ball, never looked like scoring and was booked for simulation, although that looked harsh.
Leeds fans weren’t in the mood for forgiving either, on a night that promised so much when they took the lead in the first-half. They were totally dominant before letting Derby back into the game with some horrific mistakes in defence and ill discipline that saw them down to 10 men in the second-half.
Not many Leeds players covered themselves in glory but a lot of fans singled out Bamford for criticism. Here are the best reactions:
An absolute disgrace this evening – struggling to think of a worse Hernandez game, bamford should never wear the shirt again and we got we we deserved playing a hot head like berardi – as usual a massive let down, but a huge improvement on dross we have had over recentyears #lufc
— Kev Hulme (@KevHulme1) May 15, 2019
@WYSdaily Bamford didn't look fit, to much of a passenger, Simon just hit the nail on the head, to many individual mistakes. We will go up as champions next year. MOT
— Michael Cain (@LINCS_WHITE) May 15, 2019
Bamford isn’t Leeds. He doesn’t fit. Get rid #LUFC
— Rich (@richnutting) May 15, 2019
Bamford offers nothing to that Leeds side if you take away the amount of fouls he concedes
— Ash ???????? (@catflapper89) May 15, 2019
There’s a reason every club he goes t let’s him go . 10 million on a injury prone donkey . There’s not one thing I like about his game
— AidenSlade (@AidenSlade97) May 15, 2019
@WYSdaily Just hope we can keep hold of all the gems in the U23's now. Need to offload Bamford. He's not a Leeds player. I think Bielsa has loved the fans and the club this year and I think he'll stay for another season to bring on the youth.
— Mick 13 (@Mickthirteen) May 15, 2019
Bamford is absolutely brutal, simply not good enough. No communication between defence and the keeper tonight cost us big time tonight. We also need a decent centre half.
— Average Joe (@Average28545065) May 15, 2019
No. On recent showing Bamford not worth 7 quid never mind 7 million. Keeper looks dodgy too.
— Macca ???????? (@bagster75) May 15, 2019