---
title: "Leeds: Paddy Kenny hits back at Patrick Bamford criticism"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-paddy-kenny-hits-back-at-patrick-bamford-criticism/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-09-09T12:45:54Z"
modified: "2021-09-09T12:45:54Z"
---

# Leeds: Paddy Kenny hits back at Patrick Bamford criticism

**Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has [hit back](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-ace-bamford-doesnt-deserve-stupid-england-flack-kenny/) at criticism towards Patrick Bamford following his [England debut](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58372986).**

### The Lowdown: O’Hara on talkSPORT

The 28-year-old, who famously replied to a [talkSPORT](https://twitter.com/Patrick_Bamford/status/1285279720226131968) post last year after they questioned him leading the line for Leeds in the Premier League, made his England debut on Sunday.

He started in the Three Lions’ [4-0](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58372986) win over Andorra at Wembley but made way for Harry Kane just after the [hour](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58372986) mark.

Speaking live on [talkSPORT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoYMMY1ewdg) on Monday, Jamie O’Hara said that Bamford ‘shouldn’t’ be in the England squad and hit out at Gareth Southgate for ‘handing caps out like confetti’ in reference to the Leeds marksman.

\[freshpress-poll id=”371690″\]

### The Latest: Kenny’s comments

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-ace-bamford-doesnt-deserve-stupid-england-flack-kenny/) about the negative comments on Bamford, Kenny was quick to defend the Leeds striker, saying:

> “Some of the criticism is ridiculous, 100 per cent.
>
> “Give the lad a chance, for God’s sake. It’s his first cap and it’s a big occasion. He’s never been in that position before, it’s brand new to him.
>
> “England weren’t that good in the first half anyway. And every time I’ve seen him play, I’ve always thought ‘Wow’.
>
> “You just have to give him a better crack of the whip, give him time. Everyone is too quick to jump on people’s backs these days.”

### The Verdict: Kenny is spot on

Kane was the only English striker to score [more](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/premier-league-top-scorers-2020-21/1qhjpasnphotl1lyikjfv6whva) Premier League goals than Bamford last season, with the Leeds marksman netting more than Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.

On that basis, an England debut was the least the 28-year-old deserved. Yes, he was the worst-rated starter at Wembley as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1516267/Preview/International-FIFA-World-Cup-2021-2022-England-Andorra), but it was always going to be tricky for the forward to make an impact against a team playing a low block with three central defenders in a much-changed England side.

His first appearance as an England player shouldn’t be his last, and as Kenny rightly says, time will be required when it comes to his international career.

***In other news:*** [***Ian Doyle thinks another Liverpool regular may now miss Leeds game alongside three Brazil stars.***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-andy-robertson-could-be-left-out-on-sunday/)