Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has suggested Leeds United would be in a better position if Patrick Bamford was able to improve his mentality in front of goal.
The former Whites striker was in the Sky Sports studio for their match with fierce rivals Derby County on Saturday afternoon as he witnessed Marcelo Bielsa’s side dominate for much of the encounter.
A Max Lowe own goal in the first half was cancelled out by Chris Martin in the dying moments of the match at Elland Road, although Leeds were not without their chances of ensuring all three points would be theirs.
Mateusz Klich was guilty of missing from the penalty spot, whilst Bamford had a number of chances to double their advantage, however he failed to make the most of any of them.
Indeed, speaking after the match, Hasselbaink appeared to suggest that the 26-year-old needs to work on the mental side of his game and did not have any doubt about his technical ability.
“I don’t think it’s a technical thing. I think it’s a mental thing. Wanting to score goals, no matter what type of goals. Whether it comes from your backside, your knee, but it’s about being in the right positions. It’s a mental, a mental thing for me,” he told Sky Sports (via HITC Sport).
Hasselbaink is clearly a player who knows what he is talking about when it comes to scoring goals. The former Holland international was prolific in the final third of the pitch during his playing days as he managed to record 206 goals in 464 appearances in various competitions and leagues (Transfermarkt).
Bamford registered five shots in total against Derby on Saturday afternoon (WhoScored), with just one of those being on target and working Kelle Roos in between the sticks.
For a player who will be expected to fire Leeds to the Premier League following his £10m Middlesbrough switch last summer and the departure of Kemar Roofe last month, that is hardly good enough and could leave Bielsa replicating his thoughts on their poor finishing last season once again.
Bamford has shown he can find the net often, having hit four in his eight Championship games so far, so once he is in the right frame of mind, perhaps, his goalscoring woes will become a distant memory as the campaign progresses.
Leeds fans, do you think Hasselbaink’s thoughts on Bamford are correct? Let us know your thoughts below!
