A lot of Leeds United fans have responded to Phil Hay confirming that Patrick Bamford picked up a slight quad injury and should be fit for the West Bromwich Albion match.
In his place, Eddie Nketiah started in what turned out to be arguably one of the maddest games of 2019 as Leeds beat Birmingham City 5-4 at St Andrew’s.
Do you think Bielsa deliberately started Nketiah to please Arsenal?
Yes, he wants to keep Nketiah at Elland Road
No, if Bamford was fit he would have played
Many Whites supporters before the match, though, were worried that Bamford would be ruled out for a long time.
Bamford has a slight quad injury. Should be fit for the West Brom game. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) December 29, 2019
Out for the season then.
— The Trainee RQT (@TrainingToTeach) December 29, 2019
Fit to return in April so
— ?? Kevin Power ?? (@kevinpower93) December 29, 2019
Out until March then
— James Jaffray (@jaffacakes1984) December 29, 2019
Gangrene and amputation
— horse ?? (@splke) December 29, 2019
Other Leeds supporters thought that this was a tactical move by Marcelo Bielsa to keep Arsenal happy with Nketiah’s game time.
Sounds a bit let’s try and keep Eddie excuse to me ! Might be wrong but with everything that’s been said just has a whiff of it
— James (@jimmy_L_UFC) December 29, 2019
Diplomatic ‘injury’?
Keeping Arsenal sweet?— Phil Harrison (@MrPMHarrison) December 29, 2019
A diplomatic dead leg. Love it ?
— Simon Williams (@DwelsSimon) December 29, 2019
What do we think?
Bamford has played a crucial role for Leeds this season, and it is unlikely that Bielsa would have just played Nketiah to keep the Gunners happy because the 26-year-old is Leeds’ top scorer with ten goals and surely if he were available, he would have played.
This did give Bamford the chance to commentate on the match and what a game to make your debut as a commentator!
However, Leeds will hope that Bamford does not have to do too much more commentating this season and that he will be back soon ready to help the team.