Leeds United
Bamford “revelling” BBC journalist reaction to the Whites striker’s opener against Rotherham
Pope is concerned about unfavorable effects down the road when Bamford, 30, used his elbow to deflect a Junior Firpo cross home during the 3-0 victory at Elland Road. The goal was upheld in the absence of VAR despite the visitors’ protests.
He said (9m 15s): “Firstly, it’s hilarious because as we’re watching on the monitor for the restart he’s trying to say, having pointed to his elbow to the whole of the East Stand, he’s telling Andy Madley that it was above the t-shirt line.
“It’s one of those where he’s done it, he’s probably totally expecting it to be ruled out. It isn’t, and then add to that the club’s social media after the game, ‘They all count’.
“[Daniel] Farke said it’s like one in 14 that’ve gone Leeds’ way. Overall, it should be ruled out, it’s a bad miss by the officials, clearly. I think revelling in it a little bit is not a good look, because that will come to bite Leeds somewhere later this season.”
Bamford escapes with controversial Leeds United goal vs Rotherham
The Whites striker knows he got away with one and had VAR been in effect it would have ruled his goal out, but instead the opener added to his hugely-improved form since the turn of the year.
Bamford has now scored five and assisted two more in his seven starts across all competitions since Farke dropped Joel Piroe in favour of the Englishman heading into 2024.
He is far from the first person to put one in via handball, as West Brom’s Andi Weimann even tried to do it too on the very same day against Ipswich only to have his attempt picked up by the officials netsport, 10 February].
But the fact that the Leeds United man got away with it, and seems to be a lightning rod for criticism at the best of times, means he will be in a greater spotlight.
He was accused of being a cheater when Asmir Begovic was sent off in the 1-0 win over QPR as well [Mirror, 5 October], so the Rotherham goal won’t have helped in that regard, but it certainly doesn’t excuse the level of abuse and intimidation he has been subjected to in the past year [Netsport, 9 February].
The decision may have gone in the Whites’ favour this time, although given their dominance on the day it arguably didn’t need to, but fans of the club will be wary of tempting fate in any way with the prospect of the Play Offs on the horizon.
If Bamford can keep up his current form then he might be able to make that a moot point, with automatic promotion also very much on the table.
He suddenly looks rejuvenated leading the line and following his infamous missed penalty against Stoke earlier this season his luck is currently in.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay believes a star Whites ace has already played his last game for the club.
