Leeds United look set for shock Patrick Bamford call - Daniel Farke has little choice | OneFootball

Patrick Bamford's display from the bench for Leeds United at Middlesbrough could see him return to the starting XI this weekend.

There were plenty of talking points from Leeds United’s 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

Firstly, and most importantly, with rivals Burnley and Sheffield United dropping points, it meant the Whites moved back to the top of the Championship with five games to go.

Then, there were the controversial decisions that went against Leeds, as they saw two goals wrongly ruled out for offside that ensured a nervy ending at the Riverside Stadium.

A final takeaway from the win will have been Patrick Bamford’s performance - and just how well he played!

Patrick Bamford’s miserable Leeds United season so far

When the striker was introduced in the 73rd minute in place of Joel Piroe, who failed to score for a seventh consecutive game, he would have been instructed to help Leeds see the game out.

Run the channels, win free-kicks and try to relieve pressure. Well, Farke got that, and more, from the 31-year-old, who played with real intensity.

There’s no getting away from the fact that this has been a very disappointing campaign for Bamford on a personal level.

Where he was once the main man under Marcelo Bielsa, he has been very much a bit-part player this season,

Piroe has established himself as the first-choice forward, with youngster Mateo Joseph often preferred to Bamford as well for the most part. Sadly, injuries have once again played a part, and it felt like many fans had given up on the ex-Boro man, who had been linked with the likes of Wrexham and Blackburn in January.

Bamford’s season in the Championship reads 12 appearances, all from the bench, and zero goals or assists.

Patrick Bamford could have a big role to play in Leeds United’s promotion push

Despite that, his cameo on Tuesday night suggests Bamford could have forced his way from nowhere to play a headline role in the run-in.

Even though it was only a 20-minute spell, this was the Bamford many had seen under Bielsa.

He was aggressive in the way he went up against Boro’s centre-backs, and he set the tone with his pressing and work-rate from the front.

There was a reason the Argentinian loved Bamford, and it wasn’t all about scoring goals. At his best, he was a selfless team player who allowed others to flourish and did the hard yards.

Bamford also found the net with an assured finish on his left foot, but he was wrongly adjudged to have been offside, which would have topped off a great night for Leeds and the player.

Of course, it needs to be said that this was a brief sub appearance, and some will say that it’s an overreaction to one display from a striker who hasn’t scored all season.

But, with Piroe struggling and Joseph not convincing, Bamford has to come into Farke’s thinking for the game against Preston on Saturday.

His performance against Middlesbrough was proof Bamford still has a lot to offer, and questions about his goal record, injury history or what the future holds can wait until the end of the season.