Following two straight wins upon returning from the FIFA international break, Leeds United had a disappointing road performance in the scoreless draw against Bristol City FC on Saturday at Ashton Gate Stadium.
The Whites had a 2-0 win over Sheffield United and a 2-1 victory over Watford with both results coming at Elland Road. As a result, Daniel Farke and his team needed to take this positive momentum on the road against a middle-of-the-table club in Bristol City.
In the first half, Leeds United recorded eight total shots while the home side countered with three as the contest went into halftime scoreless. In the second half, the Yorkshire side would register nine total shots while Bristol City only recorded one total shot with neither side being able to find the back of the net.
Leeds United have yet to find consistent play from their No. 9
After the scoreless away match, BBC pundit Jon Newsome believes Farke has yet to find his ideal number nine at Leeds United this season.
Joel Piroe is the more clinical of the two but really needs match conditions to be in his favor for chances to fall his way, which is why he has been so successful coming off the bench in matches Leeds is winning.
Mateo Joseph, meanwhile, is far more reliable with his link-up play, offers runs in behind and gets on the end of chances because of his movement, but has been guilty of wasting some big chances.
Farke has insisted Patrick Bamford will play apart at some point, but after another disappointing display of minutes, pundit Newsome told BBC Radio Leeds post-match he may start ‘banging’ on Farke’s door very soon.
Newsome said (h/t LeedsUnited.News), “I don’t know, I think at some point he will definitely be banging on the gaffer’s door asking, ‘when does he get his opportunity?’”
Bamford’s future at Leeds United has been the subject of transfer rumors over the last couple of days. A report links to a return to the Premier League, but if the veteran goal scorer doesn’t get a look between now and the January transfer window, it will be interesting to see if Bamford does leave Elland Road.
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