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Willy Gnonto says £10m Leeds United man is underrated, he’s ‘massive’ in promotion race
Leeds United sit top of the League table and look good for automatic promotion to the Premier League after 12 wins in their last 13 league games – and Patrick Bamford looks back to his best.
With eight games left to play in the Championship, Leeds are ahead of Leicester on goal difference – but The Foxes do have a game in hand over the Whites. Ipswich sit in third place, a point behind Leeds.
Leeds are the side showing the best form, the most momentum. A lot of that can be put down to Daniel Farke bringing in a number of fringe stars from the first half of the campaign, in this Leeds starting XI.
Willy Gnonto is one of those, as is Bamford. Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev as well came in. Those players were fresh in January. With Leeds’ rivals tiring, the quartet have added a freshness to the Leeds side.
Willy Gnonto says Leeds star Patrick Bamford is underrated
In his last 11 Championship games, Bamford has scored seven goals for Leeds in the race to secure a place in the Premier League – at the first attempt. With Joel Piroe tailing off, Bamford’s form is key.
It has come at just the right time – both his goals, but also his ability to help get the best out of the likes of Georginio Rutter, Gnonto, Cree Summerville and Dan James. Bamford constantly dictates two players.
It increases the space for his teammates in the final third, meaning James, Gnonto, Rutter and others have got space to play in. Gnonto heaped praise on Bamford on the latest .
“Pat doesn’t get the credit he deserves. The role he plays is massive for us, in the way we play. You don’t see him everytime, but he offers balls, runs the channels, opens spaces. He’s always up there fighting.”
Leeds need Bamford for promotion, and so does Gnonto
Bamford is a top player, one that had a hand in 25 goals during 2020-21 in the Premier League. But, the injuries took their toll and he has struggled to get back to his best since that first season in the top tier.
For the first time in a while, Bamford has managed to stay fit for the entirety of the season – aside from a couple of niggles here and there. Nothing long-term. His confidence is back and Leeds are impressing.
It comes as no coincidence that Leeds are in good form with Bamford thriving up top. With eight games left to play, Leeds desperately need him to stay fit for those matches – as Gnonto shines alongside him.