‘Would be harsh, but…’: Michael Owen shares verdict on Leeds ace

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Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has been criticised by Optus Sport pundit Michael Owen following his lacklustre display in the Premier League last night.

The 27-year-old has hit the ground running for Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites this season, grabbing six goals and two assists in his opening six league games.

Bamford was in especially inspired form against Aston Villa on 23 October, netting a hat-trick in a 3-0 thumping of the Midlands side.

However, the Leeds ace couldn’t follow that display up in last night’s meeting with Leicester City, spurning a couple of great opportunities to get on the scoresheet.

In comparison, opposition striker Jamie Vardy was involved in his team’s first three goals in a game Owen deemed a “tale of two strikers”.

“It would be harsh to say this was the Bamford we probably expected coming out of the Championship; it would be harsh, but it probably is,” Owen told Optus Sport.

“He has exceeded all expectations so far in the Premier League but when you see Vardy and his cuteness, his precision, when he sees half a chance he is in for the kill.

“Whereas Bamford, he has needed a couple of chances and still hasn’t scored.”

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Bamford burst into the spotlight this season following his impressive start to the campaign but every player will have off days, with Leeds as a whole struggling against an impressive Leicester side.

Hopefully such displays will be the exception this season and Bamford, having shown he has what it takes to shine in the Premier League, will no doubt put the minutes in on the training ground to get back on track by Saturday.