‘Quite incredible’: Noel Whelan lauds Leeds player despite defeat

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Leeds United fans may be struggling to take many positives from their defeat on Saturday, but Noel Whelan has suggested to BBC Radio Leeds (7/11; 17:20) that one member of Marcelo Bielsa’s squad still managed something quite incredible in the game.

The Whites endured another frustrating time after being beaten on Monday. They lost 4-1 away to Crystal Palace, with a number of players failing to find anything like their best performances.

One player who perhaps can be content with his display however, was Patrick Bamford. The striker was unlucky to have an opening strike ruled out for offside. It was a delicious finish from the 27-year-old.

And there was another superb effort shortly after. That was allowed to stand. And that took Bamford’s tally for the campaign to seven.

Ultimately, it did not lead to the comeback that Leeds needed. But Whelan heaped praise on Bamford for proving so many – including himself – wrong with his start to the season.

“Seven goals, it’s quite incredible,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “He must have worked really hard, and he must have put a lot of belief into his game. That’s not easy when you’ve taken a bit of flak as well throughout a season and a half.

“I’m really pleased that he’s now finding his form and really thriving in the Premier League because people doubted whether he could actually do it – and I was one of them. So I’m eating my words.”

TBR View: Bamford a shining light on quiet afternoon for striker

Bamford – who earns £35,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – did miss one very good chance in the second-half. But apart from that, it is arguably difficult to find much that the forward could have done better at Selhurst Park.

He took the goal that stood and the goal that did not incredibly well. And he, once again, seemed to put a real shift in to defend from the front and cause problems.

Bamford did not receive a lot of good service. Leeds created little from wide areas. But after struggling against Leicester on Monday, the striker was arguably one player who proved a point on a really disappointing day for Bielsa’s men.