Bamford's performance proves Leeds have the depth to sustain a promotion bid

By Jay Williams

Patrick Bamford returned from injury and scored a goal to send Leeds United to the top of the Championship.

With the scores level at 0-0, Bamford came off the bench to score Leeds’ winner away at struggling Bolton Wanderers.

The 25-year-old had not played a competitive game for Leeds since August but returned to make the bench last week.

In midweek, Bamford scored a hat-trick for the under-23 team and that gave him the confidence to provide the heroics against Bolton.

And Bamford’s return is a timely boost for Marcelo Bielsa as we approach the halfway stage of the season.

The former Chelsea and Middlesbrough striker’s presence up front gives Leeds something they have lacked in previous seasons: strength in depth.

(photo by David Blunsden/Action Plus via Getty Images)

In the 2016/17 season, Leeds were overly reliant on Chris Wood’s goals and then they failed to replace him last term.

But this year, Leeds have two impressive strikers in Kemar Roofe and Bamford.

Both players are quality strikers at Championship level and will score plenty of goals between them.

Bielsa has options up front and he will be able to rotate his strikers without weakening his side.

With Leeds now sitting at the top of the Championship and in form, this strength in depth could carry them over the line in their promotion push.