Noel Whelan criticises Leeds boss Bielsa over Patrick Bamford substitution

Add as preferred source on Google

Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 14/12; 17:30) that he could understand if Patrick Bamford was fuming with Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa after the Whites’ 3-3 draw with Cardiff City on Saturday.

Leeds threw away the chance to return to top spot in the Championship when it appeared impossible for Bielsa’s men to not leap ahead of West Brom.

Helder Costa had given the home side the lead against the Bluebirds. And Bamford scored either side of the break to put Leeds 3-0 up.

With just over 10 minutes remaining and Leeds still 3-1 ahead, Bielsa decided to replace Bamford with Eddie Nketiah. Unfortunately for the promotion-chasers, it proved to be a hugely disappointing afternoon as Cardiff came back to earn a point.

And following the game, Whelan explained why he would not be surprised if Bamford was annoyed with the head coach for taking him off.

“I don’t want to be unfair on Nketiah. He’s a good player and he can score goals,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “But if I was Patrick Bamford and I was coming off and I didn’t look tired and wasn’t tired and want to get my hat-trick, I’d be cursing the manager. I wouldn’t be happy at all.”

TBR View

Some will suggest that bringing Nketiah on hurt Leeds. And it may be fair to argue that it was a move that did not pay off this time around. But, while Bamford certainly appears to do more defending from the front than the Arsenal loanee, the Whites should have still been able to see the game out.

Leeds were in a largely comfortable position. So, while Bielsa will surely not be giving Nketiah minutes just to satisfy his parent club before January, it probably appeared to be a very good opportunity to let the youngster stake a claim for more game-time.

And while Whelan’s point is understandable, Bielsa would have surely faced a lot more criticism if Bamford had stayed on and picked up an injury that ruled him out of games against the likes of Fulham, Preston and West Brom.