Leeds have secured the services of Middlesbrough striker Patrick Bamford on a four-year-deal. The 24-year-old has signed for an initial £7 million and has been handed the number nine shirt at Elland Road. He becomes Leeds’ biggest signing since Robbie Fowler in 2001.
I spoke with Boro fan Graeme about his views on Bamford, having so accused the transfer of Adam Forshaw in January. As expected he doesn’t see Bamford as a “Pulis” striker which I agree with, and it seems he’s much more suited to the “Bielsa” style.
Fan view
1. Initial thoughts on Bamford to Leeds, disappointed or not to bothered? A lot of Boro fans seem pretty annoyed.
Graeme – “Not bothered despite what others say. It’s down to personal taste. He’s not my type of centre forward. He’s not bullish enough for me or enough of a menace. He’s a clever footballer though. I think the manager is of a similar opinion.”
2. £7 million fair in today’s market or would you have expected more?
Graeme – “7 million is a very good price for us plus add ons which have been written into the deal. We’ll hopefully get what we require with the money received. I think we’ve done well for what I perceive as an enigmatic player. Double figures should be netting teams the finished article in this league”
3. What can Leeds fans expect? Style ect.
Graeme – “Leeds fans can expect an elegant player, one who is comfortable on the ball, one who is delicate in and around the box and one who can finish when given chances on his left foot. However, he can he ponderous, and appear lazy at times and when intimidated can he comfortably phased out of a game. That’s the reason I think he’s spent a lot of his career floating on the left wing but with the ability to drift inside.”
4. Biggest strengths and weaknesses?
Graeme – “Obvious strengths are his decisive left foot and willingness to shoot. His link up play is impressive but players need to be adaptable in order for that to come off. His obvious weakness is his propensity to drift out of games quite quickly and his body language can be poor if he knows it ain’t happening. Don’t expect him to put himself about and make lunging tackles.”
5. If you could compare him to any other player in the world (style not ability) who and why?
Graeme – “I’d compare him to Olivier Giroud. All left foot with the ability to hit a wonder strike or a delicate finish. He can occasionally pop up with a ghosted header which is down to clever anticipation.”
6. Do you think he just needs to be the “main man” at a club to flourish?
Graeme – “That’s what he wants but in reality this main man tag has failed at a lot of clubs. Forest, Chelsea, Norwich, palace, derby, Boro twice, Burnley so I’d question why. Maybe he as an inflated opinion and isn’t quite up to the job or he hasn’t been given a fair chance. He’s had two good spells at Boro including one good season in a team where he linked up with Vossen and Tomlin which resulted in promotion. He’s a different player now and I don’t think he has improved. His lady real form saw us surge into a play-off semi final but he was still never really fancied by Pulis. I wish him all the best despite what Leeds fans think. In a nutshell he’s a good player but not quite the finished article.”
7. I’ll ask you while I’ve got you, what do you know about Jack Harrison? Boro fans also a bit miffed he didn’t get more of a chance last season.
Graeme – “All I have seen of Harrison is the odd YouTube clip where he looks a competent player. One who is two-footed, easy on the eye and not afraid to shoot. I’m slightly disappointed that I haven’t seen more of him as he seems my sort of player. I think what Boro want in terms of style and progress is different to Leeds and if people don’t appreciate my honesty in judging a player how I see fit then so be it.”
A huge thank you to Graeme again for taking the time. It’s always good to hear honest opinions from fans.
