A lot of Leeds United fans were appalled by new statistics that show just how poor Patrick Bamford’s finishing is.
A tweet from Championship Stats over the weekend revealed that Bamford has had the most headed shots off target (23), the most shots off target (53), and the most ‘big chances’ missed (20).
Is Bamford solely to blame for Leeds' goalscoring problems?
Yes, he is the striker
No, he needs support from others
This data infuriated many Leeds fans who are sick of the 26-year-old wasting opportunities.
Most shots off target this season:
Patrick Bamford (53)Most headed shots off target this season:
Patrick Bamford (23)Most 'big chances' missed this season:
Patrick Bamford (20)#LUFC #MOT— Championship Stats (@Champstat) February 1, 2020
Hate to criticise Bamford or Bielsa , but this is gonna cost us big time ?
— DaveLUFC (@David64190905) February 1, 2020
He works hard don’t worry
— Johnie Beattie ?? (@BeattieJohnie) February 1, 2020
Never mock consistency.??
— 1919 – Bielsa ?? (@aclr1972) February 1, 2020
Worst Striker in the Championship: Patrick Bamford
— LJM (@passittopablo) February 1, 2020
Have you got any stats on ‘runs around alot’
— MMLUFC (@Michael46041497) February 2, 2020
If we don’t do something about it we won’t get promoted- fact plus goalkeeper needs changing
— Steve hull (@hull_stevehull) February 1, 2020
Awful stats
— Courtney Davies (@Courtney9Davies) February 1, 2020
— sean (@seany1976) February 1, 2020
What do we think?
Bamford, who is valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, has missed a lot of chances this season, and his poor finishing has cost the Whites in some games.
However, he is still their top scorer with 12 goals, and their next-highest player is Jack Harrison on five.
It seems that the former Middlesbrough striker has not received that support he needs from his teammates, and the rest of the squad is going to have to chip in.
The arrival of Jean-Kevin Augustin should help, but for now, it is down to Bamford and the other players in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad until the Frenchman gets up and running.