Leeds United employee: Patrick Bamford is being ‘dragged down’ after latest
Noel Whelan is worried about Patrick Bamford’s mentality at Leeds United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds striker said Bamford needs to score as soon as possible when the season resumes to build back is confidence.
As reported by LeedsLive (5 December), the 29-year-old missed out on the club’s training camp in Spain to undergo surgery on a groin problem.
The procedure is said to have gone well and the striker is now rehabilitating in the UK and is hoped to join back in with training later this month.
The attacked has already missed much of the season due to injury.
He has made ten league appearances for the Whites this season but is yet to score.
When asked how being injured will have affected Bamford’s mentality, Whelan told Football Insider: “Players hate being on the sidelines and being on the bench but it is worse when you are injured.
“You want to participate and take part, whether it is 90 minutes or 25 minutes. I think for a player, it can make you really tough mentally, but it can also drag you down as well.
“I think we saw when Patrick came back he was not a confident striker. He had many options and chances to score goals. He needs a goal to get him off the mark this season and to get his season up and running.
“It is easier said than done because putting the ball in the back of the net is the hardest job in football. But he needs to try and be focused, confident and believe in his football.
“He needs to get that goal sooner rather than later because that is the catalyst that will kick his season into action.“
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