Self critical Patrick Bamford prefers to listen to songs of match-going Leeds United fans than Twitter discord

Patrick Bamford prefers to listen to the tuneful feedback he gets from match-going Whites than the discordant discontent he gets on Twitter.
Patrick Bamford says Leeds fans will back you if you put your all in (Pic: Getty)Patrick Bamford says Leeds fans will back you if you put your all in (Pic: Getty)
Patrick Bamford says Leeds fans will back you if you put your all in (Pic: Getty)

Like most players, the Leeds United striker comes in for criticism on social media, some of it more abusive than constructive.

Like most Leeds players, he hears his name sung back to him from the stands.

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There is a distinct theme to the criticism he receives online – it focuses almost entirely on the chances he has failed to convert this season.

Patrick Bamford has come in for criticism on Twitter but says he's more critical of himself than anyonePatrick Bamford has come in for criticism on Twitter but says he's more critical of himself than anyone
Patrick Bamford has come in for criticism on Twitter but says he's more critical of himself than anyone

Strikers are paid to score goals, they say, often tagging him in Tweets containing less than complimentary thoughts on the ex-Middlesbrough forward.

Yet it’s nothing he hasn’t thought himself, because even when he plays well, if he doesn’t hit the net, he can’t be entirely satisfied with his contribution.

“It’s weird because as a striker myself I am never happy unless I have scored,” he said.

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“I know in myself there has been a couple of games this year where I have not been up to par but in the majority I have been reasonably happy with how I played and I still come away and think yeah you did all right but you have not scored.

“I think if you look at it I am probably more critical than even the fans, so I look at it and I have got four but easily I should probably have 10 goals.”

Bamford might not see all of the Tweets that come his way after games but, helpfully or not, others have let him know all about the criticism.

He appears to have come to terms with it, because in a live setting rather than behind a keyboard or a smart phone, Leeds fans will back him.

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And when he talks about it, there’s also a recognition that some of the doubters’ doubts are not without foundation.

There’s a confidence too, that he can prove them wrong.

“I am not really one to look at Twitter, but people were telling me: ‘oh you are getting slated blah, blah’.

“I know that is a minority and the fans who have come to watch the games have been brilliant and they have always sung my name.

“It was a hard one last year; signing for a big amount of money and then getting injured and not playing and then there was the disappointment of not getting promoted.

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“I feel like they did not get the best of me. This year it is my aim to show them and once you get Leeds fans on your side, it can only be good news.

“They are loyal and great fans who make a fantastic atmosphere and they will back you to the hilt; win, lose or draw, as long as we are putting 100 per cent effort in.

“I am sure I will get the goals we need.

“It’s one of them where I will keep working on it after training and stuff and it will come.”

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