‘The problem’: TalkSPORT pundit claims £10m Leeds man played much better under Marcelo Bielsa than Jesse Marsch

By Ben Evans

Leeds United have a vital game against Fulham coming up today, having not won in their previous seven matches.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, former Leeds player Carlton Palmer was asked about the club’s predicament.

Leeds looked like a different side to the team that was nearly relegated last season in their first few games.

Jesse Marsch had energised his side, and several new signings such as Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams hit the ground running.

However, their form has nosedived, and they now find themselves level on points with 19^th place Nottingham Forest.

Palmer believes that one of the key issues facing Leeds right now is scoring goals.

Leeds have scored 11 times in the league this season, and have only found the back of the net once in their last four outings.

First choice striker Patrick Bamford hasn’t scored this season, and Palmer believes he played much better under Marcelo Bielsa.

Bamford played better under Bielsa – Palmer

Palmer thinks Leeds could be in real trouble this season if their luck in front of goal doesn’t change soon.

“They’ve conceded 15 goals which is a lot, but not insurmountable,” Palmer said on TalkSPORT (23/10 8:41am).

“The problem is they’ve only scored 11 goals and Bamford has been plagued by injuries for the last two seasons.

“He was integral under (Marcelo) Bielsa, hasn’t really hit those heights, I don’t think he’s got over those injury problems.

“He’s not really got back to his best yet and unless Leeds can start scoring goals, they’re going to have a problem.”

The £10m forward has really struggled with his fitness since Jesse Marsch arrived at the club.

Bamford managed just three appearances last season under Marsch.

Unfortunately, in two of those he was substituted before on during half-time.

This season, he’s been involved in all-but-two of Leeds’ league games, but only been selected to start four times.

Marsch has admitted that he thinks Bamford is fit enough to be regularly involved in the run up to the World Cup.

Although he missed a penalty against Arsenal, Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale admitted it was ‘great to see’ Bamford back.

Bamford certainly played much better under Bielsa, and was the Argentinian’s talisman during his time in charge.

If Marsch can help him rediscover that form, Leeds will stand a much better chance going forward.

His alternatives right now are Rodrigo Moreno, or a group of talented but inexperienced young forwards.