Jesse Marsch makes Patrick Bamford prediction for the rest of the season

By Ben Evans

Leeds United finally returned to winning ways last night, as they easily dispatched Championship side Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds were a potential banana skin in the FA Cup third round replay, but they produced a much-improved performance.

Speaking to the club’s official website after the match, Jesse Marsch was very pleased with his team.

The Whites were lethal in front of goal, with Wilfried Gnonto and Rodrigo Moreno putting the game to bed in the first-half.

Gnonto’s first goal in particular was sensational, a Paulo Di Canio-esque strike within 30 seconds.

Second-half substitute Patrick Bamford scored a brace after the break to complete the rout.

However, Marsch won’t be too pleased with how easy Cardiff found it to score their two goals in the final minutes.

Marsch was really pleased to see Bamford once again find the back of the net for Leeds.

After going the whole season without scoring, and struggling with injuries, Bamford now has three goals in two games.

His manager has backed him to build on yesterday’s performance for the rest of the season.

Marsch pleased with Leeds brace for Bamford

Speaking after the match, Marsch said: “We’ve tried to just send messages to Patrick to enjoy his football, to get himself healthy and to get back to loving the game.

“And I think that’s what we see. We see a smile on his face, we see a guy who’s ready to run and be dangerous, be vertical and get in the box and trying to score goals.

“Now, three goals in less than 75 minutes, big potential for him to grow into the team as well.”

The £70,000-a-week forward has very much struggled in front of goal this campaign.

He’s scored just once in the league from 18 shots, and would have expected to score a lot more than he has.

He required surgery on a groin issue during the World Cup break, and only returned to action against Aston Villa last week.

Carlton Palmer said earlier in the season that Bamford was playing much better under Marcelo Bielsa than Marsch.

Marsch decided that Leeds needed to strengthen up top in January, and have brought in Georginio Rutter as competition for Bamford.

Rutter has already been described as a totally unique player by Marsch, but may have to bide his time to get into the team after yesterday’s performance.

Leeds fans will be hoping for a similar result when Brentford are the visitors to Elland Road on Sunday.