Daniel Farke has to drag off Patrick Bamford at half-time against Sunderland if Leeds United are to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive.
The Whites went into half-time of Tuesday’s (9 April) Championship clash all square at 0-0 after a rather uneventful first half.
Leeds did not manage any shots on target and that was not exactly down to a strong Sunderland defence, but rather because of lacklustre attacking play.
Sunderland had less of the ball but looked slightly more threatening than Leeds, who really could do with changing things at the interval.
Patrick Bamford struggles in first half v Sunderland
As drastic as that sounds, Leeds just cannot afford to drop any points right now on the back of the 2-1 loss at Coventry City last time out.
Farke made a change midway through that game – Connor Roberts on for Glen Kamara – and should do likewise against Sunderland.
And if that is going to be the case, the number one candidate to make way is striker Patrick Bamford, who just has not got involved.
Bamford had just 21 touches in the first half at Elland Road [Sofascore] and registered only one shot, which was horribly off target.
As said by Andy Hinchcliffe on commentary for Sky Sports [9 April, 8:46pm]: “He’s so much better than that.”
It could be argued that Daniel James, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter were all just as poor, but each of those can make something happen.
In the case of Bamford, he has now on course for a fifth game without a goal. All this while Mateo Joseph twiddles his thumbs on the substitutes’ bench.
With Elland Road very subdued – understandably given what they have witnessed so far – Joseph seems the ideal candidate to come on and wake them up.
If Farke does not take any action at the break and Leeds fail to pick up the win, serious questions must then be asked.
In other Leeds United news, Sunderland’s team coach was slapped with a parking ticket ahead of the game.
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